Received Date: 25 August 2023 l Accepted Date: 19 October 2023

RESEARCH ARTICLE

White-Collar Crime: Awareness and Perception Analysis

Kübranur Karaarslan1 1Ahmet Demirden2

Abstract
Post-Graduate., Police
1

Academy,
The present study comparatively examined the perceptions and experiences of participants on white-
Ankara /Türkiye
collar offences in relation to traditional street level offences in the cities of Ankara and Eskişehir. For this
ORCID: 0000-0002-8512-7435
objective, a wide range of information was collected, including the perceived seriousness of offences,
E-Mail:
kubranrkaraarslan@gmail.com
victimization, high risk behaviors that may be related to victimization, crime control, and the perceived
victim profile. A total of 381 participants living in Ankara and Eskişehir were selected via convenience
2
Dr. Instructor, Police sampling methods. The results were analyzed with descriptive statistics as well as T-test, and ANOVA.
Academy, The results revealed that the participants perceive white-collar offences as significantly serious criminal
Ankara / Türkiye acts in comparison to common street level offences and that they believe that states should allocate equal
ORCID: 0000-0003-2864-3692 funds to white-collar offences as well as common street level offences. We also found that there were
E-Mail: significant differences between the participants' attitudes towards the potential victim profile and their
ahmetdemirden@hotmail.com attitudes towards actual victims. The findings are believed to be significant for law enforcement agencies,
consumer protection organizations and other experts working in the field.

Corresponding Author: Keywords White-collar Offences, Economic Offences, Street Crimes, Crime Seriousness, Crime
Kübranur Karaarslan Victimization

Öz
October 2023
Volume:20
Çalışmada Ankara ve Eskişehir illerinde yaşayan katılımcıların beyaz yaka suçlarına yönelik algı ve
Issue: Special Issue-Human
Behavior and Social Institutions
deneyimleri karşılaştırılmalı olarak araştırılmıştır. Bu doğrultuda uygulanan mülakatlar aracılığıyla
DOI: 10.26466//opusjsr.1349701 suçun ciddiyeti, suç mağduriyeti, suç mağduriyeti oluşturabilecek yüksek riskli davranışlar, suçun
kontrolü ve algılanan mağdur profiline yönelik geniş çerçevede bilgi toplanmıştır. Araştırmanın
örneklemini kolay ulaşılabilir örnekleme yöntemiyle belirlenen Ankara ve Eskişehir illerinde yaşayan
Citation: toplamda 381 katılımcı oluşturmaktadır. Elde edilen sonuçlar betimleyici istatistikler, T-testi ve
Karaarslan, K. & Demirden, A. ANOVA testleri kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre katılımcılar geleneksel sokak
(2023). White-Collar Crime: suçlarıyla karşılaştırıldığında beyaz yaka suçlarını anlamlı derecede ciddi olarak algıladıkları; beyaz yaka
Awareness and Perception suçları ve geleneksel suçlara devletin eşit oranda fon ayırması gerektiğine inandıkları bulunmuştur.
Analysis. Ayrıca, katılımcıların olası mağdur profiline yönelik tutumları ve gerçek mağdurlara yönelik tutumları
OPUS– Journal of Society arasında anlamlı farklar olduğu sonuçlarına ulaştığını bulduk. Elde edilen sonuçların kolluk kuvvetleri,
Research, 20(Special Issue- tüketici koruma örgütleri ve alanda çalışan tüm uzmanlar için önemli olabileceği değerlendirmektedir
Human Behavior and Social
Institutions), 938-968.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Beyaz Yaka Suçları, Ekonomik Suçlar, Sokak Suçları, Suç Ciddiyeti, Suç
Mağduriyeti

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 White-Collar Crime: Awareness and Perception Analysis

Introduction and its aftermath (Eriş et al., 2020). While more

people were employed with the Industrial
In a given society, the interrelationships are Revolution, categorized employees were
regulated in order to maintain peace and security categorized as blue collars and white collars.
that differ based on a social context. Behaviors that Employees who used arm/muscle power who
occur as a result of violating these rules can generally wore blue overalls as work clothes were
endanger the peace and security of individuals. defined as blue collars, while salaried
The phenomenon of crime is as old as the history professionals, inspired by the color of the white
of life and civilization. Moreover, it is a universal shirts they wore, were defined as white collars. The
phenomenon that has existed in every period of white-collar concept defines the class that gains its
human history. Although there is no society and status in society through education and
country free of criminal offences, the changing professional training (Erkal et al., 1997: 56).
elements are only the quantity and quality of Sutherland made the first comprehensive
offences (Tören Yücel, 2004: 1). definition of white-collar criminality and defined
The concept of white-collar crime was first white-collar crime as: "a crime committed in the
introduced by Edwin Sutherland in 1939 and course of one's occupation by a respected person of high
entered the literature with the same name socioeconomic status" (Sutherland, 1949: 9).
(Ferguson, 2010: 13). Sutherland (1940) considered According to Braithwaite (1985: 3), there are
white-collar crimes as offences committed by problems with Sutherland's definition. The first
people at high socioeconomic levels during the problem is the relative definition of the
performance of their professions (Sutherland, respectability. The other issue is Sutherland's
1940: 9). Also, while white-collar offences can be prediction that a white-collar crime will only be
considered as economic crimes that do not involve considered a white-collar crime if it is committed
violence (Ferguson, 2010: 55), while they can be by a person with a high social status, even though
categorized based on their relationship with the Sutherland uses the pervasive nature of white-
perpetrator's professional activities collar crime to refute class-based theories of
(Küçüktaşdemir, 2017). Compared to traditional criminality. Braithwaite acknowledged the
street crimes, white-collar offences differ in many existence of a definitional problem in white-collar
aspects, including financial and social cost crime and argued that Sutherland's overarching
(Sutherland, 1940), perpetrator profile (Friedrichs definition of white-collar crime should be adhered
2010: 13-16), victim profile (Titus et al., 1995), and to, but that we should then distinguish between
perceived seriousness of offences (Rebovich et al., types of white-collar crime (Braithwaite, 1985: 3).
2000). Geis also argued that there is confusion about the
The impact of white-collar offences on society definition of white-collar crimes (Geis, 1991).
and society's attitudes towards white-collar crime Therefore, he agreed with Braithwaite (1985: 19) on
have great importance in terms of preventing such that "the most sensible way forward is to stick to
offences. White-collar offences are known to cause Sutherland's definition". On the other hand, Croall
serious economic cost in comparison to street (1989: 157) argued that white-collar crime is
crimes. There is a controversy on the definition and committed by people who are defined as powerful,
sanctions of white-collar crime in the legal systems high status, and respectable.
of countries and also the comprehensive research According to Weisburd and Waring (2004: 9),
on white-collar crimes is scarce. Thus, research on individuals with high social status are most likely
attitude and perceptions on white-collar offences to hold white-collar occupational positions, but
may yield significant results. when it comes to white-collar crimes such as
bribery and tax evasion, the perpetrators of these
Conceptual Framework of White-Collar Offences crimes are quite average individuals in society.
Individuals who are prosecuted for white-collar
The definitions of "collar" in business environment crimes often do not reflect the characteristics of a
was originated from the First Industrial Revolution stereotypical white-collar criminal, and in today's

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Kübranur Karaarslan & Ahmet Demirden

world, most of the society could commit white- When compared in terms of the number of victims,
collar offence (Weisburd and Waring, 2004: 10-11). economic crimes are more prominent than in
Thus, we advocate an understanding that white- traditional offences. For example, in relation to tax
collar offences committed by the middle class can evasion offences, all citizen may be considered as
also be included. This difficulty in conceptually victims. Also, the victims of economic offences
defining white-collar offences indirectly leads to may range from individuals to institutions,
the immeasurability of the related crimes. The companies, governments, and entire economies
uncertainty of the prevalence and measurement (Gottschalk, 2010a: 442). When other differences
cause emergence of a problem of reaction and are considered, criminal offences such as murder,
counter the offences by individuals and the state rape, assault (i.e., offences committed by
(Wall-Parker, 2019: 41). In order to provide individuals against individuals) can be considered
conceptual clarity, we will review different types more serious than financial offences such as
of white-collar offences next. embezzlement and fraud (i.e., offences against
property). This has an impact on the penal system
Economic Offences and leads to more severe sentencing for offences
against individuals. Also, financial offences are
The concept of economic crime (i.e., financial much more difficult to investigate and often
crime, economic crime, white-collar crimes) evidence is more difficult to reveal, owing to the
constitutes an extremely important area as it not fact of frequent incidents of concealment, cover-
only causes tangible damages but also destroys the up, and deception (Şentürk and Kasap, 2013: 149).
economic morality in public (Dönmezer, 1985: 20).
With the liberalization movements in the 1980s Embezzlement
and the globalization movements in the 1990s,
economic offences have started to increase in Embezzlement occurs when a public official uses
Türkiye and around the World. With the increase money or public resources with monetary value
in economic offences, new approaches have without authorization or illegally. Embezzlement
developed in the prevention and prosecution of is an offence that may be committed by public
such offences (Dursun, 2005). officials of different degrees and is mostly seen in
In the literature on economic crimes is public duties related to allocated money (Zeren &
examined they are defined differently by Anglo- Bilken, 2021: 37). The embezzlement can also be
American and French researchers. In this context, committed during banking activities. As defined in
economic crimes are defined as crimes arising from the Banking Law, the perpetrator of the crime of
the practice of certain professions and occupations embezzlement is a bank employee who has a
in the Anglo-American literature, while in the contractual relationship with the bank and whose
French literature, such acts are included under the duty is related to banking activities (Atay, 2022:
concept of commercial and industrial crimes 635). İtişgen (2013: 669) argues that the offense of
(Dönmezer, 1985: 20-21). Accordingly, in the embezzlement committed by a bank employee is
Anglo-American literature, economic crimes are usually committed through tampering with
based on the abuse of trust necessary for economic customer accounts or providing unfair credit.
life and include the offences arising from the abuse
of this trust. In the French literature, on the other Qualified Fraud
hand, economic crimes are not accepted as a
separate category and the acts committed against The offence of fraud is defined in Article 157 of the
business and commercial life are considered Turkish Penal Code(TPC) as "deceiving a person by
within the framework of economic crime fraudulent behavior via detriment of the person or
(Dönmezer, 1985: 20-22). another person" and obtaining a benefit for oneself or
Economic offences are much more difficult to another person", while Qualified fraud is defined as
prosecute than other types of crimes and the " During the commercial activities of persons who are
financial damage they cause is much greater. merchants or company managers or acting on behalf of

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 White-Collar Crime: Awareness and Perception Analysis

the company; cooperative managers within the scope of consist of few or many people and may suffer a
the cooperative's activities, or by self-employed persons, small amount of financial loss. Also, Giddens
by abusing the trust placed in them due to their (2008: 874) agrees that the victims often do not see
profession, or for the purpose of collecting the cost of themselves as victims in such circumstances. He
insurance”. explains this is because as the physical proximity
between the victim and the perpetrator is much
Bribery less in white-collar offences, unlike traditional
crimes, victims do not often realize that they are
The offense of bribery is defined in Art. 252 of the the victims.
TPC as “Any person who directly or through White-collar offences also involve perpetrators
intermediaries provides a benefit to a public official or with different characteristics. Weisburd and
another person to be designated, in order to perform or colleagues (1991) proposed that the characteristics
fail to perform a job related to the performance of his of a stereotypical white-collar criminal are white,
duty, is sentenced to imprisonment from four years to middle-aged men, above-average socioeconomic
twelve years.” status, working in a regular white-collar job. In
A three-sided structure emerges in bribery as addition, they suggested that corrupt and bribe-
the bribe taker, bribe giver and the public taking politicians can also be included in this
administration; if the public administration does profile (cited in Croall, 2001: 51). In terms of
not reveal the related crime, bribery is normalized ethnicity, whites are more involved in middle and
for the perpetrators of the crime by losing high-level crimes and the rate of women in white-
reputation (Ünlü, 2012: 333-334). collar crime perpetrators is lower. Moreover,
Friedrichs (2010:16) maintained that compared to
Characteristics of White-Collar Crime traditional crimes, perpetrators of white-collar
offences are well-educated, probably married and
Various types of white-collar offences in business have a regular family life, and are more involved
and professions fundamentally involve a violation in communities and groups. Similarly, research
of trust (Sutherland, 1940: 3). The cost of white- findings suggest that the average age of the
collar crime is much higher than the financial perpetrators was 41 years old and 44% of them had
damage caused by other offences, and the a university degree or higher (Holtfreter, 2005).
sentences given to the white-collar offenders may Given that some products and services may
differ from those of traditional street offences affect certain groups more depending on the
(Sutherland, 1940, pp. 5-8). White-collar offenders lifestyles of individuals, the risk of being
are perceived differently in terms of the attitudes victimized may be higher, the victim profiles of
of the public. Rackmill (1992) stated that white- white-collar offences may also be significant
collar criminals do not fit the criminal stereotype important in relation to crime prevention Croall
and explained that it is difficult to punish them (2001: 72). For example, females may have a higher
because they are in the same class with the law risk of being victims of fraud in matters related to
enforcement officers and more likely to share pharmaceutical products and the elderly in
similar values. Berghoff and Spiekermann (2018), relation to pension. Lokanen and Liu (2021)
on the other hand, try to explain the issue through examined the data of the Canadian Investment
the prosecution process, stating that white-collar Industry Regulatory Authority on investment
offences are difficult to prosecute because fraud between 2008-2019 and their findings
perpetrators utilize complex methods to conceal support this idea. They found that older adults
the offence and have political influence that can over the age of 60 and retirees are more vulnerable
influence the legislative process in their favor. to investment fraud victimization; when the
In relation white-collar offences, Croall (2001: 8) reasons for investments are examined, the current
argues that the identities of the victims often financial situation and the desire to improve
cannot be easily identified, and that victims may retirement planning are the most significant causes
not be aware of the incident, and that victims may (Lokanen & Liu, 2021). The findings on the

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Kübranur Karaarslan & Ahmet Demirden

characteristics of white-collar offences victims are white-collar offences is equal to or higher than
generally consistent. That is, younger and more street level offences (e.g., Shahbazov & Afandiyev,
educated people are more likely to be victimized 2020; Sever & Roth, 2012; Dodge, Bosick, &
(Titus et al., 1995; Van Wyk and Mason, 2001), Antwerp, 2013; Holtfreter et al., 2008).
Most of the victims are individuals who invest not Consequently, the present study aims to assess the
because of any need, but because of the desire to perceptions of white-collar offences in Turkish
earn more money, and that most of the victims are context.
middle-aged men with professional occupations
(Trahan et al., 2005). A recent study by Bar Lev et Method
al. (2022), investigated victims of financial fraud
offences in developing countries. The findings In the present study, the following research
revealed that most of the victims are working, questions were investigated;
married or single men of different ages. In India, i. What is the perception of the seriousness of
most of the victims are young and male; in China, white-collar offences in Turkish context?
women or people close to retirement age are ii. What is the rate of victimization
victims; and in Malaysia and Bolivia, elderly experienced in the last 12 months and the
individuals come to the fore (Bar Lev et al., 2022). rate of reporting their victimization to the
authorities?
General Attitude towards White-Collar Crime iii. What are the perceived profiles of white-
collar offence victims?
How individuals perceive the seriousness of
white-collar crimes is a component of attitudes Participants
towards white-collar crimes. Perceived
seriousness also affects reporting of an offence to The present study utilizes the convenience
authorities. Unreported offences and offences only sampling method (Koç Başaran, 2017). Convenient
known between the perpetrator and the victim sampling method is used in cases where
constitute the dark area (Polat, 2008; Tören Yücel, generalizability is limited in which it is impractical
2004: 14). This causes a gap between the actual to identify and reach randomized sampling in the
crime prevalence and judicial records and such population (Özen & Gül, 2007). The age range of
discrepancy may occur for the following reasons participants is between 18 and 60 and they are
(Tören Yücel, 2004: 14-15); residents of Ankara or Eskişehir. A total of 381
i. Citizen reluctance to report crime; people participated in the research: 297
ii. Law enforcement lapses; participants participated in face-to-face surveys,
iii. Failure to catch the perpetrators, and 84 participated in online surveys. Considering
iv. Victims' fear of criminals; the COVID-19 pandemic period and economic
v. The idea that it would be useless to conditions, the research was limited to two
appeal to the police, provinces by determining easily accessible cities by
vi. The victim does not consider the the researcher.
crime worth reporting.
The victims of white-collar offences are known Procedure
to hesitate to report the offences and it is estimated
that only 15% of them report such allegations Following the ethical board approval, the data
(Titus et al., 1995). The evaluation of crimes in were collected in two ways, through Google Forms
terms of seriousness reflects the general attitude of and in person. In person interviews were
the society towards offences (Benk et al., 2018). conducted between August 2021 and January 2022,
Although there are many studies on the while online data were collected between
seriousness of crime in the literature, most of the December 2021 and January 2023. The participants
studies were conducted in the United States. These were first provided with informed consent letters,
findings suggest that the perceived seriousness of followed by handing out the demographic forms

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 White-Collar Crime: Awareness and Perception Analysis

to them. Next, participants handed out the adapted 18-25 52 30,8 44 20,8 96 25,2
25-40 68 40,2 81 38,2 149 39,1
version of the “National Public Survey on White 40-60 49 29,0 87 41,0 136 35,7
Collar Crime Questionnaire”. It was adapted by Education
the researcher to be used in the sample of Türkiye Level
Primary 21 12,5 21 9,9 42 11,1
within the scope of white-collar offences. The
school
questionnaire first translated by a focus group, and Middle 10 6,0 21 9,9 31 8,2
reverse translation was utilized to ensure the school
High school 44 26,2 74 34,9 118 31,1
quality of interpretation of the questions. Once the
University 70 41,7 91 42,9 161 42,4
questionnaire was adapted, a pilot study was MA/PhD 23 13,7 5 2,4 28 7,4
conducted to measure the consistency and validity Marital Status
of the questions. In the pilot testing process, the Married 83 49,1 136 64,2 219 57,5
Single 86 50,9 76 35,8 162 42,5
cognitive interviewing technique was used. Monthly
Cognitive interview technique is a process in Income
which the researcher interviews the respondents 0-2000/0-5000 35 21,2 16 7,6 51 13,6
₺
about their thought processes to obtain 2000- 74 44,8 101 47,9 175 46,5
information about the questionnaire and to 5000/5000-
develop the questionnaire, and it is ensured that 10000 ₺
5000- 45 27,3 84 39,8 129 34,3
the respondents think aloud while answering the 10000/10000-
questions (Neumann, 2017: 453). The final version 20000 ₺
of the questionnaire was used by making 10000/20000 11 6,7 10 4,7 21 5,6
>₺
necessary adjustments according to the findings.
Current
The study took approximately 30 minutes and at Residence
the conclusion participants were thanked for their Ankara 81 47,9 43 20,3 124 32,5
Eskişehir 88 52,1 169 79,7 257 67,5
contributions.
Data
Collected
Measurement Tools In Person 115 68,0 182 85,8 297 78,0
Online 54 32,0 30 14,2 84 22,0

The adapted version of the “National Public

Survey on White Collar Crime Questionnaire” What is the perception of the seriousness of
utilized in the current study (Rebovich et al., 2000) white-collar offences
(Appendix A).
One Sample Chi-Square (X2) Test was utilized to
Findings test whether there was a significant difference
between the participants' choices in question. The
In relation to demographic characteristics, most of result of Chi-Square Test revealed that the
the participants are between the ages of 18 and 40. distribution of perceived crime seriousness
Approximately 50% participants had a university between the categories showed a significant
degree or higher. Also, most of the participants are difference, except for the pairwise comparison of
reported to be married. The data were collected in the insurance fraud crime committed by the citizen
Ankara (n=124, 32.5%) and Eskişehir (n=257, and the insurance fraud crime committed by the
67.5%). Of the data, 297 (78%) were obtained insurance company (See Table 2).
through in person interview method and 84 (22%) Tablo 2: Findings on Participants' Answers to the Seriousness of
were obtained through the internet using Google Crime Questions
Forms (see Table 1). Seriousness of the crime N % X2 df p

Table 1: Demographic characteristics of Participants Question 1a

Female Male Total Street Crime 119 32,5
44,765 1 ,000
n % n % n % White-Collar Crime 247 67,5
Participants 169 44,4 212 55,6 381 100,0 Total 366 100
Age
Question 1b

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Kübranur Karaarslan & Ahmet Demirden

Street Crime 142 39,1 who steals a bag containing 1000 liras from someone on
17,193 1 ,000
White-Collar Crime 221 60,9
the street or an employee who embezzles 1000 liras from
Total 363 100
Question 2a his/her employer (bank vault)." (Question 5). 30.2% of
Street Crime 144 39,6
15,868 1 ,000
the participants reported that the criminal who
White-Collar Crime 220 60,4 committed the crime of theft was more likely to be
Total 364 100
Question 2b
caught, 33.7% reported that the criminal who
Street Crime 151 41,5 committed the crime of fraud was more likely to be
10,560 1 ,000
White-Collar Crime 213 58,5 caught, and 35% reported that they were equally
Total 364 100
likely to be caught.
Question 3a
The Crime of Impropriety 293 81,4 The participants were asked which of the
141,878 1 ,000
Bribery (citizen) 67 18,6 perpetrators in the scenario given in Question 5
Total 360 100 would receive a more serious punishment
Question 3b
The crime of impropriety 218 60,9
(Question 6). While 15.9% of the participants stated
16,994 1 ,000
Bribery (company) 140 39,1 that the theft offense would receive a more serious
Total 358 100 punishment, 52.9% stated that the fraud offense
Question 4a
would receive a more serious punishment; 26.5%
Insurance fraud (citizen) 192 52,6
Insurance Fraud Crime 0,989 1 ,320 answered that they would receive an equal
173 47,4
(insurance company) punishment.
Total 365 100 The participants were asked in which scenario the
Question 4b
Insurance fraud (citizen) 112 31,1 offender should be punished more severely
51,378 1 ,000
Insurance Fraud (doctor) 248 68,9 (Question 7). While 5.5% of the participants stated
Total 360 100 that the person who committed the crime of theft
and 31.7% of the participants stated that the person
Among the 8 questions measuring the seriousness who committed the crime of fraud should be
of crime, 5 pairs of questions compared white- punished more severely; 60.9% of the participants
collar crimes and street crime. The participants argued that they should be punished equally.
who found white-collar crime more serious were
given 1 point for each question, while the Perceived Crime Seriousness and Control of
participants who found street crime more serious Crime for White-Collar Crime
were given 0 points. One Sample Chi-Square (X2)
Test was applied to test whether there was a Groups were formed in line with the total scores
significant difference between the participants' obtained by summing up the answers given for 5
choices in the question pairs. The findings revealed pairs of questions in which the seriousness of
that the distribution of perceived crime seriousness white-collar offences and street offences were
between categories showed a significant difference compared (Table 4). The relationship between the
in a way that participant reported that white-collar answers given to the seventh question (the
offences are more serious in comparison to street question of who should be punished more
offences (X2 (1) =70,520; p<0,001) (see Table 2). severely) and the newly formed groups was
analyzed by Two-Way Chi-Square was to
Table 3: Findings on Perceived Seriousness of White-Collar Crime determine whether there is a relationship between
Perceived seriousness of n % X2 df p participants' perceived crime seriousness and their
crime choice of which crimes should be punished more
Street crime 98 27,7
White-collar crime 256 72,3 70,520 1 ,000 severely.
Total 354 100

Control of Crime

Participants were given two scenarios and asked

which offender is more likely to be caught. "A thief

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 White-Collar Crime: Awareness and Perception Analysis

Table 4: Findings on Perceived Crime Severity and Control of Crime Participants were also asked whether they or other
Groups Crime Severity To X2 p
people living in the same household had been
(1a,1b,2a,2b,3a) tal d
Street White- f victimized by a white-collar offence in the last 12
Crim Collar months. Only 8.8% participants reported being a
e Crime
victim of a white-collar offence in the question 23,
Control Street 13 7 20 33,98 1 ,00
of crime crime 4 0 "In the last 12 months, have you or other people you live
(Questio Whit 10 104 11 in the same house encountered a higher invoice for the
n 7) e- 4 product you bought than the price you were told during
collar
crime
the sale?".
Total 23 111 13 The question 9 assess the attitudes in question
4 9, that is "If you were a victim of fraud in any way,
would you report it?" 35% of the participants who
93.69% of the participants who find white-collar declared that they would report their grievances,
crimes more serious think that white-collar crimes who were then asked questions 20 to 27 if they
should be punished more severely, while this rate have had reported being a victim of a specific of
is 43.48% among those who find street crimes more white-collar offences that they experience. The
serious. There is a statistically significant findings are as follows; Approximately 35%
difference between those who find white-collar participants indicated yes for Q20; 13% indicated
crimes serious and those who find street crimes yes for Q21, 85% indicated yes for Q22; 65%
serious (X2 (1) =33,984; p<0,001). The effect size is indicated yes for 23; 50% indicated yes for Q24;
Phi=0,531, an indication of a large effect. 50% indicated yes for Q25; 68% indicated yes Q26;
and 100% indicated yes for Q27.
Perceived Motivations for Crime
Victimization Questions and Demographic
The 13th question examined the perceived Variables
motivations for crime, the participants were asked
"Below are some causal explanations for theft/fraud The relationship between demographic variables
crimes (embezzlement, etc.) that occur in the workplace. and victimization of white collar crimes were
You are required to rate each of the following causal analyzed via Chi-Square. There was no statistically
explanations according to the extent to which you think significant difference between gender, age and
each of them can be a valid reason (1-disagree income level groups, but a statistically significant
strongly/6-totally agree)". The frequency, mean and difference was found between the education level
standard deviation values are presented in Table 5. groups (X2 (4) =11,330; p=,023.). The effect size was
V=,178, indicating a low-power effect. As a result
Table 5: Findings on Crime Motivations
of the pairwise comparisons, it was concluded that
Question 13 n Average Standard
Deviation the victimization rates of individuals with primary
Poor financial 327 3,47 1,925 school graduates (7.9%) were significantly lower
situation of the than those of individuals with university (26.6%)
family
Drug addiction 328 3,92 2,064
and master's/doctorate (38.5%) degrees, while the
Greed 326 3,86 2,123 victimization rates of individuals with high school
Poor upbringing 327 4,28 1,920 graduates (19.5%) were significantly lower than
of the person
those of individuals with master's/doctorate
Excitement, fun 320 2,38 1,670
Gambling 330 4,23 1,988 (38.5%) degrees.
debt/addiction
Overspending 320 3,17 1,984
Victim Confidence in the Face of White-Collar
Crime
Rate of victimization of white-collar offences?
In the 28th question, the participants were asked
"On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being very insecure to 5 being

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Kübranur Karaarslan & Ahmet Demirden

very secure), how secure do you feel about being to form group 2. According to the results, the
victimized by such crimes in the future?" to measure confidence scores of the participants with an
how secure the participants feel in the face of income between 0-10.000 TL (X=3,33, sd=1,29) were
white-collar crimes. Independent samples t-test significantly higher than the participants with an
was applied to test whether there was a gender income between 10.000-20.000 TL (X=2,97 sd=1,25)
difference in the confidence scores of the t (344) =2,591; p<0,05. (Table 8).
participants. The results showed that confidence
scores of men (X=3,31, sd=1,37) were significantly Table 8: Confidence in Victimization in the Face of White-Collar Crime
by Income Levels
higher than women (X=3,01, sd=1,15) t (347,406) =- T test
2,28, p<0,05. The results of the independent Variable Groups N x̄ sd
t df p
samples T-test are presented in Table 6. 0-
202 3,33 1,29 2,591 344 ,010
Trust 10.000tl
scores 10.000-
Table 6: Confidence in Victimization in the Face of White-Collar Crime 144 2,97 1,25
20.000tl
by Gender
Variabl Group t test
N x̄ sd
e s t df p Fighting Crime
Woma 15 3,0 1,15
-
Trust n 6 1 0 347,40 ,02
scores Male 19 3,3 1,37
2,28
6 3 The participants were asked "Do you believe that the
4
4 1 3 government should allocate more resources to fight
against white collar crimes such as fraud, embezzlement
One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was or street crimes such as theft and purse snatching?"
applied to test whether the trust scores of the (Q29). One-sample Chi-Square test applied to test
participants vary according to their education whether there is a significant difference between
levels. Education was formed as primary and the answer categories. 13.9% of the participants
secondary school graduates were group 1, high stated that funds should be allocated for street
school graduates was group 2 and university, and crimes, 15.3% stated that funds should be allocated
master's/doctorate graduates was group 3. for white-collar crimes, and 62.9% stated that
ANOVA test showed significant mean difference funds should be allocated equally. A single sample
between education levels. (F=7.18, p<0.01). (Table Chi-Square test showed that the distribution ratio
6). between the categories was statistically significant.
(X2 (3) =286.286; p<0.001). The majority of the
Table 7: ANOVA Results of Confidence in Victimization against White- participants stated that the state should allocate
Collar Crime by Education Level
Variable Groups Source of Sum of
funds equally
df Mean
to the fight
F
against
p
street crimes and
variance Square white-collar crimes.
Square
Primary or
Secondary School G. Between 22,94 2
Perceived 11,47
Victim 7,18
Profile ,001
Graduate
Trust High school
G. Inside 552,69 346 1,60
scores graduate Three close ended questions (Q31 to Q33) assess
University- the perceived victim profile in a five point Likert
Master's/PhD Total 575,63 348
graduate
scale. The findings are summarized in Table 9.
Notes: df: Degrees of freedom
Table 9: Frequency Values and Percentage Distributions of Participants'
Independent sample t-test was applied to test Answers to Perceived Victim Profile Questions
whether the trust scores of the participants vary Question 30 Question 31 Question 32
according to their income levels. Since the N % N % N %
I agree. 256 68,4 152 40,9 190 50,8
differences between the number of people between
Disagree 32 8,6 87 23,4 87 23,3
the groups in income levels were high, the groups Undecided 62 16,6 103 27,7 74 19,8
of 0-2000/0-5000 TL and 2000-5000/5000-10000 TL I don't
24 6,4 30 8,1 23 6,1
know
were combined to form group 1; 5000-10000/10000-
Total 374 100 372 100 374 100
20000 TL and over 10000/20000 TL were combined

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 White-Collar Crime: Awareness and Perception Analysis

The result indicated that people in the 61 and over gambling debt/addiction and drug addiction" the most,
age would be the most likely be a victim (48.22%). respectively. The reason "greed", which has been
Additionally, 66.67% of the participants believe widely mentioned in the literature, was ranked
that people with low-income levels are more likely fourth
to be victims of consumer fraud than people with Considering the total victimization rates, 22.6%
other income levels. In relation to education level, of the participants have experienced victimization
89.36% of the participants thought that people with of at least one white-collar crime in the last 12
low education levels are more likely to be victims months. When the results obtained are compared
of consumer fraud than people with other with the study of Kane and Wall (2006), the
education levels. victimization rates appear to be low. However,
given that study sample is not representative of
Conclusion and Recommendations Türkiye the findings should be considered with
caution.
The present study showed that participants When the demographic variables were
perceive white-collar crimes as more serious in evaluated in terms of white-collar crimes, a
every pair of questions, except for one pair. Similar significant difference was found in relation to
findings have been found in studies on crime education levels. The victimization rates of the
seriousness in the literature (Holtfreter et al., 2008; graduates/doctorate graduates were found to be
Sever & Roth, 2012; Dodge et al., 2013; Shahbazov significantly higher than the victimization rates of
& Afandiyev, 2020). A notable finding in the primary school graduates. Thus, having a high
research is that the participants tend to view level of education appears to be a high-risk factor
offences committed by public officials and doctors for being a victim of white-collar offences. Kane
as more serious than offences committed by the and Wall (2006) stated that white-collar crimes are
citizen. a phenomenon that can affect everyone equally,
Control of crime reflects the probability of which seems to be valid for our study as well. The
apprehending offenders and the severity of present finding that the variables related to
sentencing. The perceptions of the participants victimization show a significant relationship only
regarding the probability of the criminals being in the education level group is an important
caught were first investigated. The participants finding in terms of the heterogeneity of the victims
thought that both types of offenders were equally of the related crimes.
likely to be caught and 60.9% of the participants The confidence level of participants was also
stated that both offenders should receive serious assessed in relation to white-collar offences, as well
punishments. as the relationship between their perceptions of
The participants appeared to perceive the confidence and demographic variables. Male
probability of being apprehended for common participants reported feeling more secure against
street offences and white-collar offences to be close white-collar offences than female participants.
to each other. They thought that white-collar Also, participants with primary, secondary, and
offender may receive a harsher punishment, and high school degrees reported feeling more secure
suggested that the punishments of both offenders against white-collar offences than those with
should be equal. Compared to the study conducted university and higher education levels. Finally,
by Schoepfer et al. (2007), the data obtained in our participants with low-income levels feel more
study are quite different, and only the result of secure against white-collar crimes than
severity of crime was similar. We think that the participants with high-income levels.
participants’ perceptions that white-collar offences Approximately 63% of participants stated that
should be punished more seriously is related to the an equal number of resources should be allocated
perception of seriousness white-collar offences. for both types of offences. This is important to note
The participants were asked to rate each of that they see street level offences and white-collar
question of possible motivations on a 5-point offences equally serious. In relation to the
Likert scale, in which they rated "poor upbringing, perceived profile of white-collar offence victims,

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Kübranur Karaarslan & Ahmet Demirden

participants reported older individuals being high educated individuals stand out in terms of victim
risk victims. Also, most participants believed a low characteristics (Van Wyk and Mason, 2001; Titus et
income and low education levels as high risk al., 1995; Kane and Wall, 2006). There are also
factors. Participants perceive a possible victim of studies stating that certain crimes target certain
white-collar crime as middle and older age group, groups and may leave certain groups more
low-income level and low education level vulnerable in terms of variables such as age group
individuals. and gender, but we cannot talk about an exact
The present study aimed to examine the victim group (Croall, 2009; Lokanen and Liu, 2021).
perceptions of participants about white-collar Many white-collar offences require special
crimes. The overall results revealed the following investigative techniques, training, and equipment,
findings in relation to research questions; and it is more challenging for law enforcement
i. What is the perception of the agencies to investigate them. It is important that
seriousness of white-collar offences in government agencies act strictly in the fight
Turkish context? against white-collar crime. Technological
The participants are not indifferent towards developments make a difference in the way white-
white-collar crimes and report white-collar collar crimes are committed. White-collar offences
offences being more serious than traditional street also cause severe costs in many areas. Therefore, it
crimes. is important to counter white-collar offenses in
They believe that states should allocate equal many aspects, such as prosecution, education,
resources to white-collar crime and traditional preventive studies, and crime-specific
street crime. investigation techniques and methods. We suggest
ii. What is the level of victimization organizing training programs on high-risk
experienced by the participants in the last behaviors and victim profiles. In this framework,
12 months and what is the rate of reporting future studies should compare real victim profiles
their victimization to the authorities? with the perceived victim profile of white-collar
The participants’ level of victimization appears offences. Future studies should also include
to be low. Considering the total victimization rates, participants representative of Türkiye. Finally,
it is seen that 22.6% of the participants were more specific categories of white-collar offences
victimized by at least one white-collar crime in the may be analyzed for refined findings.
last 12 months.
There is a discrepancy between what they think
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American Sociological Review, 5(1), 1-12.

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Appendix A: Turkish Version of the Questionnaire

Aşağıda bazı senaryolar yer almaktadır. Lütfen hangisinin daha ciddi (önemli, mühim) bir suç
olduğunu düşünüyorsanız sadece o kutucuğu işaretleyiniz.

1a.

❑ Bir kişi içinde 1000 lira bulunan çantayı sokakta birinden çalıyor,
❑ Bir banka memuru iş vereninden (banka kasasından) 1000 lira zimmetine geçiriyor.
1b.

❑ Bir kişi içinde 1000 lira bulunan bir çantayı sokakta birinden çalıyor,
❑ Bir müteahhit/apartman sahibi gereksiz bir tamirat yaparak karşıdaki kişiyi 1000 lira
dolandırıyor.
2a.

❑ Bir kişi silah tehdidiyle karşıdaki kişiye fiziksel(ciddi) hasar vererek soygun yapıyor,
❑ Bir otomobil üreticisi arabanın çok önemli bir parçasını koymayı unutuyor ve üretilen
otomobili piyasadan geri çekmiyor. Bunun sonucunda arabayı kullanan kişi ciddi bir şekilde
yaralanıyor.
2b.

❑ Bir kişi silah tehdidiyle karşıdaki kişiye fiziksel(ciddi) hasar vererek soygun yapıyor,
❑ Bir market sahibi etin bozuk olduğunu bile bile satıyor ve bunun sonucunda eti alan kişi ciddi
şekilde hasta oluyor.
3a.

❑ Bir kamu görevlisi rüşvet alıyor,

❑ Sivil bir vatandaş kamu görevlisine çıkar elde edebilmek için rüşvet veriyor.
3b.

❑ Bir kamu görevlisi rüşvet alıyor,

❑ Bir şirket, çıkarları doğrultusunda bir karar aldırabilmek için kamu görevlisine rüşvet veriyor.
4a.

❑ Bir kişi sigorta şirketinden haksız yere para alabilmek için sahte kaza raporu düzenleyerek
sigorta şirketini zarara uğratıyor,
❑ Bir sigorta şirketi tasarruf edebilmek amacıyla müşterisinden gelen geçerli bir hak talebini
geri çeviriyor.
4b.

❑ Bir hasta, sigorta şirketinden daha yüksek geri ödeme alabilmek için doktorla iş birliği
yaparak sadece bir kere sağlanan hizmeti birden fazla almış gibi gösteriyor,
❑ Bir doktor, hastaya, kendisine daha yüksek ödeme yapması gereken bir teşhis koyuyor.

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Kübranur Karaarslan & Ahmet Demirden

Aşağıda “sokak suçları” olarak adlandırılabilecek hırsızlık ve kapkaç gibi suçların failleri ve “beyaz
yaka suçları” olarak adlandırılabilecek nitelikli dolandırıcılık suç failleri ile ilgili karşılaştırma
soruları yer almaktadır. Lütfen dikkatlice okuyarak size göre hangisinin doğru olduğunu
düşünüyorsanız yalnızca o seçeneği işaretleyiniz.

5. Kimin daha fazla yakalanma ihtimali olduğunu düşünüyorsunuz? İçinde 1000 lira bulunan çantayı
sokakta birinden çalan hırsız veya iş vereninden (banka kasasından) 1000 lira zimmetine geçiren bir
çalışan.

❑ Hırsızlık yapan
❑ Dolandırıcılık yapan
❑ İkisi de aynı şekilde
❑ Bilmiyorum
6.Yukarıda verilen senaryodaki suç faillerinin ikisinin de yakalandığını ve suçlu bulunduğunu
düşünün. Sizce hangi suçlu daha ciddi bir ceza (daha uzun süreli hapis cezası vb.) alacaktır?

❑ Hırsızlık yapan
❑ Dolandırıcılık yapan
❑ İkisi de aynı şekilde
❑ Bilmiyorum
7.Kimin daha ciddi cezalandırılması gerektiğini düşünüyorsunuz?

❑ Hırsızlık yapan
❑ Dolandırıcılık yapan
❑ İkisi de aynı şekilde
❑ Bilmiyorum
8. Telefonunuza gelen bir ödül kazanma mesajından şüphelendiniz (telefon, tablet, bilgisayar vb.) Bu
ödülün doğruluğunu teyit etmek için kimi ararsınız?

❑ ….............................(Belirtiniz.)
❑ Kimseyi aramazdım
❑ Görmezden gelirdim
❑ Bilmiyorum

9. Eğer herhangi bir şekilde dolandırıcılık kurbanı olsaydınız ihbarda bulunur muydunuz?

❑ Evet. Bu durumu kime şikayet ederdiniz? ...................

❑ Hayır. Bu durumu neden şikayet etmezdiniz? ......................

❑ Ne olduğuna göre değişir. İhbarda bulunma durumunuz nelere göre değişirdi?...........

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 White-Collar Crime: Awareness and Perception Analysis

❑ Bilmiyorum.

Aşağıda işyerinde yaşanan hırsızlık/dolandırıcılık (zimmete para geçirme vb.) suçları ile ilgili birkaç
soru yer almaktadır. Lütfen soruları dikkatlice okuyarak cevaplayınız.

10.Hiç işvereninden bir şeyler çalan birini tanıyor musunuz?

❑ Evet. (11. soruya geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (12. soruya geçiniz.)
❑ Bilmiyorum. (12. soruya geçiniz.)
11. Bu kişi yakalandı mı?

❑ Evet.
❑ Hayır/Henüz yakalanmadı.
❑ Bilmiyorum.
12.Aşağıda verilen pozisyonlardan hangisinde yer alan kişilerin işyerinde hırsızlık/dolandırıcılık
yapma (zimmete para geçirme vb.) ihtimalinin daha yüksek olduğunu düşünüyorsunuz?

❑ Yönetici
❑ İşyeri çalışanları
❑ İş sahipleri
❑ Diğer.................
❑ Bilmiyorum.

13. Aşağıda işyerinde gerçekleşen hırsızlık/dolandırıcılık suçlarıyla ilgili (zimmete para geçirme vb.)
bazı nedensel açıklamalar yer almaktadır. Aşağıda yer alan nedensel açıklamalardan her birinin ne
derecede geçerli bir sebep olabileceğini düşünüyorsanız ona göre derecelendirmeniz gerekmektedir.
(1 hiç katılmıyorum-6 tamamen katılıyorum)

❑ Ailenin maddi durumunun kötü olması ①②③④⑤⑥

❑ Uyuşturucu bağımlılığı ①②③④⑤⑥
❑ Açgözlülük ①②③④⑤⑥
❑ Kişinin kötü yetiştirilmiş olması ①②③④⑤⑥
❑ Heyecan, eğlence ①②③④⑤⑥
❑ Kumar borcu/bağımlılığı ①②③④⑤⑥
❑ Çok harcama ①②③④⑤⑥
❑ İş verenine karşı kızgınlık veya intikam ①②③④⑤⑥

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13a. Sizin aklınıza gelen başka nedenler var mı? Varsa belirtiniz.

…............................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................

Günlük hayatta yaptığımız eylemlerin çoğu bizi dolandırıcılık kurbanı olma riskine itebilmektedir.
Aşağıdaki sorular normal olarak gördüğümüz ama bizi dolandırıcılık kurbanı olma riski içine sokan
bazı aktivitelerden oluşmaktadır. Lütfen günlük hayatta yaptığınız davranışları düşünerek
aşağıdaki soruları cevaplayınız.

14. Daha önce hiç, bir çekilişe katılabilmek için başka bir ürün satın almanız gereken bir reklama,
mesaja, aramaya cevap vererek ürünü satın aldınız mı?

❑ Evet.
❑ Hayır.
❑ Hiç öyle bir mesaj, arama almadım.
15. Daha önce hiç, aile üyeniz olmayan bir insana kredi/banka kartı şifrenizi, telefon şifrenizi veya
T.C. kimlik numaranızı verdiniz mi?

❑ Evet.
❑ Hayır.
❑ Bilmiyorum.
16.Telefondan arayarak/mesajla veya internetten (instagram vb.) yapılan satışlara karşı koymayı ne
derecede zor bulursunuz?

❑ Çok zor
❑ Orta zor
❑ Hiç zor bulmam
❑ Bilmiyorum
❑ Hiç öyle bir şey yaşamadım
17.Ne kadar sıklıkla beraber çalıştığınız, hizmet aldığınız (avukat, doktor, mimar vb.) kişilerin
geçmişini incelersiniz/güvenirliğini araştırırsınız?

❑ Her zaman
❑ Bazen
❑ Hiç
❑ Bilmiyorum
18.Ne kadar sıklıkla kişisel bilgilerinizi telefondan, internetten paylaşırsınız?

❑ Her zaman
❑ Bazen

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❑ Bu tür bilgileri vermem

❑ Bilmiyorum
19. Cüzdanınızda/çantanızda kaç tane kredi kartınız var?

............................

Aşağıda son 12 ay içerisinde sizin veya aynı evde yaşadığınız kişiler tarafından yaşanmış
mağduriyetlerle ilgili sorular sorulacaktır. Lütfen soruları son 12 ayı dikkate alarak kendinizi ve
aynı ev içinde yaşadığınız kişileri düşünerek cevaplayınız.

20. Son 12 ay içerisinde, siz veya aynı evde yaşadığınız diğer kişiler, telefonunuza veya mailinize
gelen “bedava ödül kazandınız” (tatil, cep telefonu vb.) mesajına cevap verdiniz ve daha sonrasında
bunun doğru olmadığını öğrendiniz mi?

❑ Evet. (20a’ya geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (21. soruya geçiniz.)
20a. Bu olayı bildirdiniz mi?

❑ Evet. Kime/nereye bildirdiniz? …...................................................(20b’ye geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (21. soruya geçiniz.)
20b. Bu olayın sonucunda neler oldu?

................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................

21. Son 12 ay içerisinde, siz veya aynı evde yaşadığınız diğer kişiler, hiç yapılmamış veya sonradan
tamamen gereksiz olduğunu fark ettiğiniz bir otomobil tamirine para ödediniz mi?

❑ Evet. (21a’ya geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (22. soruya geçiniz.)
21a. Bu olayı bildirdiniz mi?

❑ Evet. Kime/nereye bildirdiniz?...........................................................(21b’ye geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (22. soruya geçiniz.)
21b. Bu olayın sonucunda neler oldu?

................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................

22. Son 12 ay içerisinde, siz veya aynı evde yaşadığınız diğer kişiler, kayıp veya çalıntı kredi kartları
sayılmaksızın, kredi kartı veya banka hesap numaralarınızı paylaşmanız için kandırılarak bunun
sonucunda kartlarınızdan onayınız olmadan alışveriş yapıldı mı?

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❑ Evet. (22a’ya geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (23. soruya geçiniz.)
22a. Bu olayı bildirdiniz mi?

❑ Evet. Kime/nereye bildirdiniz?.........................................................(22b’ye geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (23. soruya geçiniz.)
22b. Bu olayın sonucunda neler oldu?

................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................

23. Son 12 ay içerisinde, siz veya aynı evde yaşadığınız diğer kişiler, aldığınız ürünün karşılığında
satış sırasında size söylenen fiyattan daha fazla bir faturayla karşılaştınız mı?

❑ Evet. (23a’ya geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (24. soruya geçiniz.)
23a. Bu olayı bildirdiniz mi?

❑ Evet. Kime/nereye bildirdiniz?......................................................(23b’ye geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (24. soruya geçiniz.)
23b. Bu olayın sonucunda neler oldu?

................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................

24. Son 12 ay içerisinde, siz veya aynı evde yaşadığınız diğer kişiler, bankacınız veya mali
planlayıcınız tarafından kasten yanlış yönlendirilerek paranız çalındı mı?

❑ Evet. (24a’ya geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (25. soruya geçiniz.)
24a. Bu olayı bildirdiniz mi?

❑ Evet. Kime/nereye bildirdiniz?...........................................................(24b’ye geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (25. soruya geçiniz.)
24b. Bu olayın sonucunda neler oldu?

................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................

25. Son 12 ay içerisinde, siz veya aynı evde yaşadığınız diğer kişiler, 800’lü veya 900’lü numaralar
tarafından aranıp kandırılarak para veya mülkünüzü kaybettiniz mi?

❑ Evet. (25a’ya geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (26. soruya geçiniz.)
25a. Bu olayı bildirdiniz mi?

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❑ Evet. Kime/nereye bildirdiniz?...........................................................(25b’ye geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (26. soruya geçiniz.)
25b. Bu olayın sonucunda neler oldu?

................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................

26. Son 12 ay içerisinde, siz veya aynı evde yaşadığınız diğer kişiler, internet üzerinden aldığınız bir
ürün sonucunda para verdiğiniz ürünü elde edemeyip (aldığınız üründen başka ürün geldi/ürün hiç
gelmedi) paranızın çalındığı oldu mu?

❑ Evet. (26a’ya geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (27. soruya geçiniz.)
26a. Bu olayı bildirdiniz mi?

❑ Evet. Kime/nereye bildirdiniz?.........................................................(26b’ye geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (27. soruya geçiniz.)
26b. Bu olayın sonucunda neler oldu?

................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................

27. Son 12 ay içerisinde, siz veya aynı evde yaşadığınız diğer kişiler, yatırım yaptığınız bir
oluşum(birlik) tarafından kandırılarak paranız çalındı mı?

❑ Evet. (27a’ya geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (28. soruya geçiniz.)
27a. Bu olayı bildirdiniz mi?

❑ Evet. Kime/nereye bildirirdiniz?..................................................(27b’ye geçiniz.)

❑ Hayır. (28. soruya geçiniz.)
27b. Bu olayın sonucunda neler oldu?

................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................

28. 1’den 5’e kadar derecelendirmede (1 çok güvensiz hissediyorum-5 çok güvende hissediyorum)
bu tür suçlar tarafından ileride mağdur olma durumu konusunda kendinizi ne kadar güvende
hissediyorsunuz?

Çok güvensiz hissediyorum ① ② ③ ④ ⑤ Çok güvende hissediyorum

29.Dolandırıcılık, zimmete para geçirme gibi beyaz yaka suçları veya hırsızlık, kapkaç gibi sokak
suçları ile mücadelede devletin daha fazla kaynak tahsis etmesi gerektiğine inanıyor musunuz?

❑ Sokak suçları ile mücadeleye daha fazla kaynak tahsis edilmeli.

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❑ Beyaz yaka suçları ile mücadeleye daha fazla kaynak tahsis edilmeli.
❑ İkisine de eşit şekilde kaynak tahsis edilmeli.
❑ Bilmiyorum.

Aşağıda yer alan sorularda ortalama bir beyaz yaka suçu mağdurunun özellikleriyle ilgili birtakım
cümleler verilmiştir. Lütfen verilen cümleleri dikkatlice okuyarak kendi düşünceleriniz
doğrultusunda cevaplayınız.

30. Belirli bir yaş grubundaki insanların diğer yaş grubundaki insanlara göre tüketici dolandırıcılığı
mağduru olma riski daha yüksektir.

❑ Katılıyorum. *Sizce bu hangi yaş grubu olabilir? …................

❑ Katılmıyorum.
❑ Kararsızım (Ne katılıyorum ne katılmıyorum)
❑ Bilmiyorum.
31. Belirli bir gelir seviyesindeki insanların diğer gelir seviyesindeki insanlara göre tüketici
dolandırıcılığı mağduru olma riski daha yüksektir.

❑ Katılıyorum. *Sizce bu hangi gelir seviyesi olabilir?.......................

❑ Katılmıyorum.
❑ Kararsızım (Ne katılıyorum ne katılmıyorum)
❑ Bilmiyorum.
32. Belirli bir eğitim seviyesindeki insanların diğer eğitim seviyesindeki insanlara göre tüketici
dolandırıcılığı mağduru olma riski daha yüksektir.

❑ Katılıyorum. *Sizce bu hangi eğitim seviyesi olabilir?........................

❑ Katılmıyorum.
❑ Kararsızım (Ne katılıyorum ne katılmıyorum)
❑ Bilmiyorum.
33. Aklınıza gelen, dolandırıcılık mağduru olma riski daha yüksek olan başka gruplar var mı? Varsa
lütfen belirtiniz.

…............................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................

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Appendix B: National Public Survey on White Collar Crime

Questionnaire

To begin, I will read you some very short scenarios. I would like you to tell me which of the two
scenarios you think is MORE serious. By MORE serious, we mean more significant, urgent, or
important. Are you ready to begin?

Please tell me which crime is MORE serious...

la. A person steals a handbag containing $100 from someone on the street. -or-
A bank teller embezzles $100 from his employer.

1b. A person steals a handbag containing $100 from someone on the street. -or-
A contractor cheats a person out of $100 by making an unnecessary repair.

2a. A person robs someone at gun point causing serious injury. -or-
An auto maker fails to recall a vehicle with a known defective part. One person is seriously
injured.

2b. A person robs someone at gun point causing serious injury. -or-
Knowing a shipment of meat is bad, a store owner sells it anyway. One package is sold and
a customer becomes seriously ill.

3a. A public official takes a bribe that influences his official duties. -or-
A private citizen bribes a public official to obtain a favor.

3b. A public official takes a bribe that influences his official duties. -or-
A corporation bribes a public official to obtain a favorable decision.

4a. A PATIENT files a false claim against an insurance company in order to receive a
higher reimbursement. -or-
A DOCTOR lies on a claim he made to a health insurance company in order to receive a
higher reimbursement.
4b. A PATIENT files a false claim against an insurance company in order to receive a
higher reimbursement. -or-
A health insurance company knowingly denies a valid claim in order to save money.

Now I would like to ask you some questions about how you see white collar criminals as compared
to other criminals.

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5. Who do you think is MORE LIKELY to be caught by the authorities, someone who commits
a robbery and steals $1000 or someone who commits a fraud and steals $1000?
Options: Someone who commits a robbery
Someone who commits a fraud
Equally likely
Don't Know
Refused

6. If they are both caught and convicted, who do you think WILL LIKELY receive the more
severe punishment, the person who commits the fraud or the person who commits the robbery?
Options: Person who commits the fraud
Person who commits the robbery
Equally likely
Don't Know
Refused

7. Who do you think SHOULD be punished more severely, the person who commits the fraud
or the person who commits the robbery?
Options: Person who commits the fraud
Person who commits the robbery
Equally punished
Don't Know
Refused

8. If you were to become suspicious about a telephone prize offer you received, who would you
call to find out if the offer was legitimate?
Options: (specify)__________
Wouldn't call anyone
Would just avoid offer
Don't Know
Refused

9. If you were to become a victim of a fraud, would you report it?

Options: Yes [Go to Q9a]
No [Go to Q9b]
Depends [Go to Q9c]
Don't Know [Skip to Q 10]
Refused [Skip to QI0]
9a. Who would you report it to?
9b. Why wouldn't you report it'?
9c. What things would it depend on?

Now I would like to ask you some questions about workplace theft.

I0. Have you known anyone who has stolen property from his or her employer?
Options: Yes [Go to Q 11 ]
No [Skip to Q12]

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Don't Know [Skip to QI2]

Refused [Skip to Q12]
II. Was the person caught?
Options: Yes
No or "Not Yet"
Don't Know
Refused

12
12. Who do you think is responsible for committing the most costly work place theft that now
occurs: those in management, line workers, or business owners?
Options: Management
Line workers
Business owners
Other (specify)________________________________
Don't Know
Refused

13. There are several reasons that people commit crimes like workplace theft and embezzlement.
On a scale of 1 to 6, with 1 being strongly disagree and 6 being strongly agree, tell me how
much you agree that the following are reasons that people commit crimes like workplace theft
and embezzlement. Is it because of...
Options: Family financial need 123456 DK REF
Drug habit 123456 DK REF
Greed 123456 DK REF
Poor upbringing 123456 DK REF
Thrill 123456 DK REF
Gambling debt 123456 DK REF
Overspending 123456 DK REF
Anger or vengeance l23456 DK REF
13a. Are there any other reasons people commit crimes like embezzlement and workplace theft?
Options: Yes (specify)_____________________________________
No
Don't Know
Refused

Many of our actions, which we take for granted, may place us at risk for becoming victims of fraud.
I would now like to ask you some questions about your everydav activities.

14. Have you ever responded to a mailing, other than Publisher's Clearinghouse, by purchasing
an item in order to become ELIGIBLE for a FREE prize?
Options: Yes
No
Have never received such a mailing
Don't Know
Refused

14a. Have you ever responded to a mailing, WITHOUT purchasing something in order to
become ELIGIBLE for a FREE prize? (other than Publisher's Clearinghouse)

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Options: Yes
No
Have never received such a mailing
Don't Know
Refused

15. Have you ever given someone, other than an immediate family member, your PIN number,
such as an ATM code or long distance telephone calling card code?
Options: Yes
No
Don't have any cards with PIN numbers
Don't Know
Refused

16. Do you find it very difficult, somewhat difficult, or not at all difficult to resist a telephone
sales pitch?
Options: Very difficult
Somewhat difficult
Not at all difficult
Have never received sales pitch telephone call
Don't Know
Refused

17. How often do you check into the background of contractors who do work for you, such as
roofers, driveway pavers, or remodeling contractors--Always, sometimes or never?
Options: Always
Sometimes
Never
Have never hired a contractor
Don't Know
Refused

18. Before you discard credit card solicitations you receive in the mail, do you tear them up--
Always, sometimes, or never?
Options: Always
Sometimes
Never
Have never received credit card solicitations in the mail
Don't Know
Refused
19. How often do you give personal information such as your credit card number or social security
number over a cordless phone--Always, sometimes, or never?
Options: Always
Sometimes
Never
Do not give personal information over the telephone
Do not have a cordless phone

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Have scrambled cordless phone

Don't Know
Refused

20. How many credit cards do you carry in your wallet or purse?

Now I am going to ask you some questions about any experiences you or someone in your household
may have had with fraud during the last 12 months.

21. In the last twelve months, have you or someone in your household ever responded to an offer
for a free prize, a free vacation, or a free sample of a product, which turned out NOT to be
free?
Options: Yes [Go to Q21a]
No [Skip to Q22]
Don't Know [Skip to Q22]
Refused [Skip to Q22]

21a. Did you report the incident?

Options: Yes [Go to Q21b]
No [Skip to Q22]
Don't Know [Skip to Q22]
Refused [Skip to Q22]

2lb. To whom?
Options: Police or related law enforcement
Better Business Bureau
Other Consumer Protection Agency (specify)_____________
Business/Person involved in the swindle
District Attorney or State Attorney General
Personal Lawyer
Other (specify)_______________

21c. What was the outcome of the situation?

22. In the last twelve months, have you or someone in your household ever paid for repairs to an
automobile that you later discovered were never performed OR that you later discovered were
completely unnecessary?
Options: Yes [Go to Q22a]
No [Skip to Q23]
Don't Know [Skip to Q23]
Refused [Skip to Q23]

22a. Did you report the incident?

Options: Yes [Go to Q22b]
No [Skip to Q23]
Don't Know [Skip to Q23]

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Refused [Skip to Q23]

22b. To whom?
Options: Police or related law enforcement
Better Business Bureau
Other Consumer Protection Agency (specify)____________
Business/Person involved in the swindle
District Attorney or State Attorney General
Personal Lawyer
Other (specify)___________________________________
22c. What was the outcome of the situation?

23. In the last twelve months, not counting lost or stolen credit cards, has anyone ever tricked you
or someone in your household into giving credit card or bank account number information, so
that charges could be made without your knowledge?
Options: Yes [Go to Q23a]
No [Skip to Q24]
Don't Know [Skip to Q24]
Refused [Skip to Q24]

23a. Did you report the incident?

Options: Yes [Go to Q23b]
No [Skip to Q24]
Don't Know [Skip to Q24]
Refused [Skip to Q24]

23b. To whom?
Options: Police or related law enforcement
Better Business Bureau
Other Consumer Protection Agency (specify)__________
Business/Person involved in the swindle
District Attorney or State Attorney General
Personal Lawyer
Credit Card Company
Other (specify)__________________________________
No More

23c. What was the outcome of the situation?

24. In the last twelve months, has anyone ever lied to you, or someone in your household, about
the price of a product or service when you were buying it and then billed you for more than
what you were told it would cost?
Options: Yes [Go to Q24a]
No [Skip to Q25]
Don't Know [Skip to Q25]
Refused [Skip to Q25]
24a. Did you report the incident?
Options: Yes [Go to Q24b]
No [ [Skip to Q25]
Don't Know [Skip to Q25]
Refused [Skip to Q25]

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24b. To whom?
Options: Police or related law enforcement
Better Business Bureau
Other Consumer Protection Agency (specify)___________
Business/Person involved in the swindle
District Attorney or State Attorney General
Personal Lawyer
Credit Card company
Other (specify)___________________________________

24c. What was the outcome of the situation?

25. In the last twelve months, has a financial planner or stockbroker ever given you or someone
in your household false or deliberately misleading information in order to cheat you out of
money?
Options: Yes [Go to Q25a]
No [Skip to Q26]
Don't Know [Skip to Q26]
Refused [Skip to Q26]
25a. Did you report the incident?
Options: Yes [Go to Q25b]
No [Skip to Q26]
Don't Know [Skip to Q26]
Refused [Skip to Q26]
25b. To whom?
Options: Police or related law enforcement
Better BusinessBureau
Other Consumer Protection Agency (specify)___________
Business/Person involved in the swindle
District Attorney or State Attorney General
Personal Lawyer
Other (specify)____________________________________
25c. What was the outcome of the situation?

26. In the last twelve months, has anyone used an 800 or 900 number to cheat you or someone in
your household out of money or property?
Options: Yes [Go to Q26a]
No [Skip to Q27]
Don't Know [Skip to Q27]
Refused [Skip to Q27]
26a. Did you report the incident?
Options: Yes [Go to Q26b]
No [Skip to Q27]
Don't Know [Skip to Q27]
Refused [Skip to Q27]
26b. To whom?
Options: Police or related law enforcement
Better Business Bureau

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Other Consumer Protection Agency (specify)___________

Business/Person involved in the swindle
District Attorney or State Attorney General
Personal Lawyer
Phone Company (local or long distance carrier)
Other (specify)__________________________________

26c. What was the outcome of the situation?

27.In the last twelve months, has anyone other than a family member used your or someone in your
household's long distance telephone PIN number without permission?
Options: Yes [Go to Q27a]
No [Skip to Q28]
Don't Know [Skip to Q28]
Refused [Skip to Q28]
27a. Did you report the incident?
Options: Yes [Go to Q27b]
No [Skip to Q28]
Don't Know [Skip to Q28]
Refused [Skip to Q28]
27b. To whom?
Options: Police or related law enforcement
Better Business Bureau
Other Consumer Protection Agency (specify)__________
Business/Person involved in the swindle
District Attorney or State Attorney General
Personal Lawyer
Phone Company (local or long distance carrier)
Other (specify)____________________________________
27c. What was the outcome of the situation?

28. In the last twelve months, have you or someone in your household ever been cheated out of
money or property through an Internet transaction?
Options: Yes [Go to Q28a]
No [Skip to Q29]
Don't Know [Skip to Q29]
Refused [Skip to Q29]
28a. Did you report the incident?
Options: Yes [Go to Q28b]
No [Skip to Q29]
Don't Know [Skip to Q29]
Refused [Skip to Q29]
28b. To whom?
Options: Police or related law enforcement

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 White-Collar Crime: Awareness and Perception Analysis

Better Business Bureau

Other Consumer Protection Agency (specify)___________
Business/Person involved in the swindle
District Attorney or State Attorney General
Personal Lawyer
Other (specify)____________________________________

28c. What was the outcome of the situation?

29. On a scale of l to 5, with l being very unsafe and 5 being very safe, how safe you feel from
being victimized by crimes like these in the future?
Options: 1 Very unsafe
2 Somewhat unsafe
3 Neither safe nor unsafe
4 Somewhat safe
5 Very safe
Other (specify)_____________________

30. Do you believe the government should devote more resources to combating street crimes
like robbery or to white collar crimes like fraud?
Options: More money to combating street crimes
More money to combating white collar crimes
Equal money
Don't Know
Refused

31. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:

Persons in certain age groups are more likely than persons in OTHER age groups to be
victimized by some kind of consumer fraud.
Options: Agree [Go to Q31a]
Disagree [Skip to Q32]
Neither agree nor disagree [Skip to Q32]
Don't Know [Skip to Q32]
Refused [Skip to Q32]
31a. Which age groups would those be?___________________

32. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:

Persons in certain income levels are more likely than persons of OTHER income levels to be
victimized by some kind of consumer fraud.
Options: Agree [Skip to Q32a]
Disagree [Skip to Q33]
Neither agree nor disagree [Skip to Q33]
Don't Know [Skip to Q33]
Refused [Skip to Q33]

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Kübranur Karaarslan & Ahmet Demirden

32a. Which income levels would those be?___________________

33. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:

Persons of certain education levels are more likely than persons of OTHER education levels
to be victimized by some kind of consumer fraud.
Options: Agree [Skip to Q33a]
Disagree [Skip to Q34]
Neither agree nor disagree [Skip to Q34]
Don't Know [Skip to Q34]
Refused [Skip to Q34]

33a. Which education levels would those be?_____________________

34. Are there any other groups of people that you think are more likely to become victims of
fraud?
Options: Yes [Go to Q34a]
No [Skip to Q35]

34a. Which groups would that be?__________________________?

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