Economic crimes

People commit crimes for many reasons: love, hate, politics, revenge. But mostly, they commit crimes for money. Money is at the basis of economic crimes.

The Criminal Code of the Russian Federation focuses on four categories of economic crimes.

The first group of such crimes includes the breach of economic freedom that prevents normal business activity or blocks market competition. The authorities can prosecute officials for blocking up lawful business activity and registering illicit deals in land. Illegal monopolistic actions in the market, and business-related bribes are also dealt with in the code.

The second group concerns consumers' rights. It is against the law to manufacture, buy, store, transport and sell non-licensed goods.

The third group deals with financial crimes. Any violation of financial and stock—market rules provides grounds for criminal prosecution. Thus, violation of regulations on the issuance of securities, forging credit cards and other payment documents, and deliberate bankruptcy are included in this category. Forging government or corporate securities is considered to be a criminal activity too.

The fourth group deals with the state's economic security. Smuggling, counterfeiting, money laundering, illicit operations involving precious metals and gems are punishable under the Code. The grounds for prosecution include business frauds, illegal banking operations, issuance of a titleto land, property and capitals which were obtained by criminal means.

There are other activities that are also considered to be economic crimes:

- bribery in business;

- provocation of bribery or commercial graft;

- tax evasion by individuals;

- tax evasion by organizations;

- failure to return foreign exchange resources from abroad;

- deliberate avoidance of repayment of credit;

- wrongful acts in bankruptcy;

- intentional bankruptcy;

- fictitious bankruptcy;

- unlawful use of trademarks.

All the crimes mentioned above are liable to punishment by a fine or an imprisonment.

Упр. 6. Ответьте на вопросы по тексту.

1. For what reasons do people commit crimes?

2. What is the basis of economic crimes?

3. How many categories of economic crimes does the Criminal Code of the R.F. focus on?

4. What types of economic crimes are included in the first group?

5. What are the financial crimes?

6. What crimes harm the state's economic security?

7. What punishments are economic crimes liable to?