White-Collar Crime Reports Increase Across North Carolina, State Data Shows

RALEIGH, N.C. — A newly released report from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety shows reported incidents of white-collar crime increased across the state between 2020 and 2024.

The report, compiled by the department’s Criminal Justice Analysis Center, found increases in fraud, embezzlement, and extortion cases reported to law enforcement agencies statewide.

Caroline Farmer, executive director of the Governor’s Crime Commission, said agencies are seeing a growing number of cases involving deception, trickery, and coercion.

According to the report, extortion incidents — including blackmail-related offenses — more than doubled during the four-year period. Researchers also noted a significant increase in male extortion victims under the age of 30 during 2023.

The data also showed fraud rates increased most among adults ages 65 to 74, underscoring continued concerns about scams and financial crimes targeting older residents.

While fraud, embezzlement, and extortion cases rose, the report found that reported counterfeiting incidents declined during the same period.

State officials encourage anyone who believes they have been the victim of white-collar crime to report it to local law enforcement and contact the North Carolina Department of Justice for assistance.

The full report was presented during a quarterly meeting of the Governor’s Crime Commission in Raleigh.