Business & Financial Crimes Glossary (A–Z) | Spanish-English
Specialized Criminal Division
Business & Financial Crimes
A Professional Gift to the Interpreting Community from Samuel Arcelay
The Crimes of the White Collar: In the realm of criminal law, some of the most devastating crimes are committed with a spreadsheet, a contract, or a mouse click. "White-collar crime" refers to non-violent offenses committed for financial gain, often by professionals using deception and concealment.
The Anatomy of Fraud: At the heart of nearly every business crime is fraud—intentional deception for gain. This glossary dissects the mechanics of securities fraud, money laundering, and corporate embezzlement.
Money Laundering: A major focus of federal prosecution involves the three stages: Placement, Layering, and Integration. The interpreter must accurately convey the specific mechanics used to hide illicit funds.
A
Accounting FraudFraude contable
Definition: Manipulation of financial statements to mislead investors, regulators, or auditors.
Notes: Includes inflating revenue, hiding losses.
Notes: Includes inflating revenue, hiding losses.
Acquisition MisrepresentationFalsa representación en adquisición
Definition: Providing false information during the purchase of a business or assets.
Advance Fee SchemeEsquema de tarifas adelantadas
Definition: Scam requiring victims to pay upfront fees for services, loans, or investments that never materialize.
Affinity FraudFraude de afinidad
Definition: Investment scam that targets members of a specific group based on shared religion, ethnicity, or community ties.
Anti–Money Laundering (AML)Prevención de lavado de dinero (AML)
Definition: Federal regulations requiring financial institutions to detect and report suspicious transactions.
Asset ConcealmentOcultación de bienes
Definition: Hiding assets to evade taxes, creditors, or judgments.
Asset ForfeitureConfiscación de bienes
Definition: Government seizure of assets linked to criminal activity.
Asset MisappropriationApropiación indebida de bienes
Definition: Theft or misuse of company or client property by someone in a position of trust.
B
Backdating Stock OptionsRetrodatación fraudulenta de opciones sobre acciones
Definition: Illegally changing the grant date of stock options to a past date with a lower market price to increase profit.
Bank Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1344)Fraude bancario
Definition: Scheme to defraud a financial institution or obtain money under false pretenses.
Bankruptcy FraudFraude de bancarrota
Definition: Concealing assets, falsifying documents, or making false claims in bankruptcy proceedings.
Bearer Bonds / Bearer InstrumentsBonos al portador / instrumentos al portador
Definition: Financial instruments payable to whoever holds them physically.
Bid RiggingManipulación de licitaciones
Definition: Competitors agreeing in advance on who will win a contract or bid.
Black Market SalesVentas en el mercado negro
Definition: Selling prohibited or counterfeit goods outside regulated channels.
Blue-Collar CrimeDelito de cuello azul
Definition: Crimes committed by an individual from a lower social class, often involving violence or direct theft.
Boiler Room OperationOperación de “cuarto de calderas”
Definition: High-pressure sales operation using cold calls to sell questionable or fraudulent investments.
Bribery (Commercial)Soborno comercial
Definition: Offering or accepting payment to influence a business decision.
Broker FraudFraude de corredor bursátil
Definition: Misconduct by stockbrokers, such as unauthorized trades or false investment advice.
Bust-Out SchemeEsquema de quiebra fraudulenta (“bust-out”)
Definition: Scheme where a company builds credit, buys large amounts of inventory, sells it for cash, and then disappears.
C
Check KitingKiting de cheques / fraude de cheques
Definition: Fraud exploiting float time between bank deposits and withdrawals to create artificial balances.
Churning (Brokerage)Agitación de cuenta (churning)
Definition: Excessive trading by a broker in a client’s account to generate commissions.
Commingling of FundsMezcla ilícita de fondos
Definition: Improper mixing of business and personal funds or client trust funds.
Cooking the BooksMaquillar los libros / contabilidad creativa
Definition: Slang for fraudulent activities to falsify a company's financial statements.
Corporate EspionageEspionaje corporativo
Definition: Theft of trade secrets, confidential documents, or proprietary information.
Corporate FraudFraude corporativo
Definition: Activities undertaken by an individual or company that are done in a dishonest or illegal manner for advantage.
Corporate Veil (Piercing the Veil)Velo corporativo (levantamiento del velo)
Definition: Legal doctrine allowing courts to hold owners personally liable for corporate misconduct.
Counterfeit Goods / CounterfeitingBienes falsificados / falsificación
Definition: Producing or selling imitation goods or currency.
Creative AccountingContabilidad creativa
Definition: Accounting practices that follow the letter of the rules but deviate from the spirit to mislead.
Credit Card FraudFraude con tarjetas de crédito
Definition: Unauthorized use of credit or debit card information to obtain goods or money.
Crypto Investment FraudFraude de inversión en criptomonedas
Definition: Deceptive schemes using digital assets or tokens to steal investor funds.
D
Dark Web MarketplaceMercado de la web oscura
Definition: Online markets that operate via darknets, often used for selling illicit goods.
Data BreachViolación de datos
Definition: Security incident in which sensitive data is stolen or used by an unauthorized individual.
Debit FraudFraude con tarjeta de débito
Definition: Unauthorized withdrawals or charges using stolen debit card information.
Deceptive Trade PracticesPrácticas comerciales engañosas
Definition: Misleading or unfair business actions prohibited by consumer protection laws.
Disclosure ViolationViolación de divulgación
Definition: Failure to reveal required information in financial or business transactions.
Double BillingFacturación doble
Definition: Charging a client twice for the same service.
Due Diligence (Financial)Debida diligencia (financiera)
Definition: Process of verifying information and evaluating risk before a business transaction.
Dummy Corporation SchemeEsquema de corporaciones ficticias
Definition: Using sham or non-operational companies to create fake invoices or launder money.
E
Economic EspionageEspionaje económico
Definition: Theft of trade secrets for competitive or foreign advantage (18 U.S.C. § 1831).
Elder Financial ExploitationExplotación financiera de personas mayores
Definition: Illegal or improper use of an older adult’s funds, property, or assets.
EmbezzlementMalversación / desfalco
Definition: Theft of assets entrusted to someone in a position of responsibility.
Environmental Compliance FraudFraude de cumplimiento ambiental
Definition: Falsifying environmental reports or certifications to evade regulations.
Equity SkimmingDespojo de capital / skimming de capital
Definition: Taking funds or profits from property or investments without authorization.
Evidence of Financial GainPrueba de ganancia financiera
Definition: Documentation showing unlawful profit derived from criminal activity.
Excessive Fees (Fraudulent)Honorarios excesivos (fraudulentos)
Definition: Charging unlawfully inflated or unjustified fees.
F
False AccountingContabilidad falsa
Definition: The crime of destroying, defacing, concealing, or falsifying account records with the intent to gain.
False Billing SchemeEsquema de facturación falsa
Definition: Issuing invoices for services not rendered or products not delivered.
False Claims Act (FCA)Ley de Reclamaciones Falsas (FCA)
Definition: Federal law imposing liability on individuals who defraud government programs.
Falsification of RecordsFalsificación de registros
Definition: Altering or fabricating business documents to deceive regulators.
Financial Statement ManipulationManipulación de estados financieros
Definition: Intentionally altering revenue, expenses, or valuations to mislead stakeholders.
Forensic AccountingContabilidad forense
Definition: Use of accounting skills to investigate fraud and analyze financial information for legal proceedings.
Forgery (Financial)Falsificación (contexto financiero)
Definition: Creating or altering documents, signatures, or checks to commit fraud.
Front Company / Shell CompanyEmpresa fachada / empresa fantasma
Definition: Fake or minimally operational business used to hide criminal proceeds.
Front Running (Broker)“Front running” / negociación anticipada ilícita
Definition: When a broker trades on a client’s order information before executing the client’s trade.
Funnel AccountCuenta embudo
Definition: Bank account used to quickly move or disguise money through multiple transfers.
G
Ghost EmployeeEmpleado fantasma
Definition: A non-existent person on a payroll whose wages are collected by a fraudster.
Ghost Vendor SchemeEsquema de proveedor fantasma
Definition: Creating fake supplier records and invoices to divert payments.
Grand Larceny (Financial)Gran hurto (delitos financieros)
Definition: Theft of property or funds exceeding a statutory monetary threshold.
Grant FraudFraude en subvenciones
Definition: Misuse or falsification of information to obtain government grants.
Greenwashing FraudFraude de lavado verde
Definition: Misleading claims about environmental practices to attract investors.
Grey Market GoodsBienes de mercado gris
Definition: Legitimate products sold outside authorized distribution channels.
H
Hedge Fund MisconductMala conducta de fondos de cobertura
Definition: Fraudulent practices by fund managers, including misreporting returns.
Hidden AssetsBienes ocultos
Definition: Property deliberately concealed to avoid taxes, forfeiture, or judgments.
Hidden Commission SchemeEsquema de comisiones ocultas
Definition: Secret payments received by employees from third parties for steering business.
High-Yield Investment Program (HYIP) FraudFraude de programas de alto rendimiento
Definition: Scam promising extremely high returns with little or no risk.
Hush Money PaymentsPagos por silencio
Definition: Payments intended to prevent disclosure of damaging information.
I
Identity Theft (Financial)Robo de identidad (financiero)
Definition: Using another person’s information to obtain credit or financial benefits.
Illicit Commission RebateReembolso ilícito de comisiones
Definition: Returning part of a commission “under the table” to induce participation.
Illicit Financial FlowsFlujos financieros ilícitos
Definition: Movement of money gained illegally to evade detection.
Industrial EspionageEspionaje industrial
Definition: Spying directed towards discovering the secrets of a rival manufacturer.
Insider TradingOperaciones con información privilegiada
Definition: Buying or selling securities based on material non-public information.
Insurance FraudFraude de seguros
Definition: False or exaggerated claims to obtain insurance payouts.
Internal Control FraudFraude de control interno
Definition: Circumventing a company's internal rules to commit theft.
Investment ScamEstafa de inversión
Definition: Fraudulent scheme promising unrealistic profits to induce victims.
Invoice FraudFraude de facturas
Definition: Creating fake invoices or altering real ones to steal money.
Irregular Accounting PracticesPrácticas contables irregulares
Definition: Deviations from standards used to conceal losses or debt.
J
Joint Venture FraudFraude en empresa conjunta
Definition: Misrepresentation of contributions, risks, or profits in a partnership.
Junk Fee SchemeEsquema de cargos basura
Definition: Imposing hidden or deceptive fees not properly disclosed.
K
Kickback SchemeEsquema de sobornos / comisiones ilegales
Definition: Illicit payments made in return for facilitating a transaction.
Knowingly Submitting False InformationPresentar información falsa a sabiendas
Definition: Intentionally providing fraudulent data to institutions or agencies.
L
Larceny by TrickHurto mediante engaño
Definition: Obtaining property through deception rather than physical taking.
Layering (Money Laundering)Etapa de estratificación (lavado de dinero)
Definition: Moving illicit funds through complex transactions to obscure origin.
Lien FraudFraude de gravamen
Definition: Filing false liens against property to extort payment.
Loan ChurningRotación abusiva de préstamos
Definition: Repeatedly refinancing loans to generate fees rather than benefit the borrower.
Loan FraudFraude de préstamos
Definition: Providing false information to secure mortgage or business loans.
Loss ConcealmentOcultación de pérdidas
Definition: Methods used to hide investment losses from partners or regulators.
M
Mail FraudFraude postal
Definition: Use of the U.S. Postal Service or private carriers to further a scheme.
Market ManipulationManipulación del mercado
Definition: Artificially influencing the price of stocks or commodities for gain.
Material MisrepresentationFalsa representación material
Definition: False statement that significantly influences an investor decision.
Microcap FraudFraude de microcapitalización
Definition: Fraud involving stocks of very small companies, often penny stocks.
Misappropriation of Trade SecretsApropiación indebida de secretos comerciales
Definition: Acquiring or disclosing confidential business info without consent.
Misuse of Client FundsUso indebido de fondos de clientes
Definition: Diverting money held in trust for personal purposes.
Money Laundering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1956–1957)Lavado de dinero
Definition: Concealing the origin of proceeds obtained through criminal activity.
Money MuleMula de dinero
Definition: Person used to move illicit funds on behalf of organizations.
Mortgage FraudFraude hipotecario
Definition: Falsifying information or documents to obtain a mortgage loan.
Multilevel Marketing ScamEstafa de mercadeo multinivel (esquema piramidal)
Definition: Business model where income is derived mainly from recruiting.
O
Occupational FraudFraude ocupacional
Definition: Use of one's occupation for enrichment through misuse of resources.
Off-Book TransactionTransacción fuera de libros
Definition: A transaction that is not recorded in the company's financial records.
Offshore Account (Illicit)Cuenta offshore (uso ilícito)
Definition: Foreign bank account used to hide assets or avoid taxes.
Offshore Shell CompanyEmpresa fantasma offshore
Definition: Company with no operations used to hide ownership or move money.
Option Backdating FraudFraude por retrodatación de opciones
Definition: Backdating grants to dates with advantageous prices.
Overbilling SchemeEsquema de sobrecargos
Definition: Charging more than actual cost to steal excess funds.
Overstated AssetsActivos sobrevalorados
Definition: Inflating the value of assets to secure loans or mislead.
P
Paper HangingEmitir cheques sin fondos
Definition: Writing checks on closed accounts or with insufficient funds.
Payroll FraudFraude de nómina
Definition: Theft through manipulation of wage, hours, or employee records.
Phishing ScamEstafa de “phishing”
Definition: Attempt to steal financial info using deceptive communications.
Ponzi SchemeEsquema Ponzi
Definition: Operation where returns are paid using new investors’ money.
Predatory LendingPréstamos abusivos / usurarios
Definition: Imposing unfair loan terms that trap borrowers in debt.
Price FixingFijación de precios
Definition: Competitors illegally agreeing to set prices at certain levels.
Procurement FraudFraude en adquisiciones
Definition: Manipulation of bidding or contracts to steal funds.
Public CorruptionCorrupción pública
Definition: Abuse of public office for private gain (bribes, kickbacks).
Pump-and-Dump SchemeEsquema de “pump and dump”
Definition: Artificially inflating stock prices before selling at profit.
Pyramid SchemeEsquema piramidal
Definition: Illegal model based on recruiting members who must pay to join.
Q
Questionable TransactionsTransacciones sospechosas
Definition: Financial movements that raise red flags of fraud.
Quick-Rich SchemeEsquema de enriquecimiento rápido
Definition: Fraudulent investment promising unrealistic profits.
Quota Manipulation SchemeEsquema de manipulación de cuotas de ventas
Definition: Falsifying sales or contracts to meet performance targets.
R
Racketeering (RICO)Extorsión / delincuencia organizada (RICO)
Definition: Pattern of criminal activity conducted as part of an enterprise.
Refund FraudFraude de reembolsos
Definition: False or manipulated requests for refunds to steal money.
Return FraudFraude de devoluciones
Definition: Returning stolen or falsified goods for financial gain.
Revenue Recognition FraudFraude en el reconocimiento de ingresos
Definition: Improper recording of revenue to inflate performance.
Reverse Mortgage FraudFraude de hipoteca inversa
Definition: Targeting elderly homeowners with deceptive schemes.
Risk MisrepresentationFalsa representación del riesgo
Definition: Concealing or understating the risks of an investment.
Round-Tripping (Financial)Transacciones circulares
Definition: Artificially boosting sales by transferring money between related entities.
S
Salami SlicingTécnica del salami
Definition: Series of many small clandestine thefts that accumulate to a large total.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)Ley Sarbanes-Oxley
Definition: Federal law regulating financial practice and corporate governance.
Securities FraudFraude de valores
Definition: Deception in trading or investment of securities.
Self-DealingAutonegociación / operaciones en beneficio propio
Definition: Conduct by a fiduciary that takes advantage of position for personal gain.
Shell Company FraudFraude con empresas fantasma
Definition: Using fake companies to hide ownership or move funds.
Short-and-Distort SchemeEsquema de “short and distort”
Definition: Short-selling and then spreading false negative info.
Skimming SchemeEsquema de “skimming”
Definition: Taking cash before it is recorded in the books.
Smurfing (Structuring)División de transacciones (“smurfing”)
Definition: Breaking transactions into small amounts to avoid reporting.
Stock ManipulationManipulación de acciones
Definition: Artificially affecting stock prices for profit.
Straw BuyerComprador testaferro
Definition: Person who buys assets for someone else to hide ownership.
Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)Reporte de actividad sospechosa (SAR)
Definition: Mandatory report for possible money laundering or fraud.
T
Tax AvoidanceEvasión de impuestos (legal)
Definition: Use of legal methods to lower tax liability.
Tax EvasionEvasión fiscal (ilegal)
Definition: Willfully avoiding tax payments through deception.
Tax FraudFraude fiscal
Definition: Filing false tax returns or falsifying financial info.
Telemarketing FraudFraude de telemercadeo
Definition: Deceptive phone marketing schemes to steal money.
Touting ViolationViolación por promoción pagada no divulgada
Definition: Promoting securities without disclosing promoter payment.
Trade Secret TheftRobo de secretos comerciales
Definition: Stealing proprietary info (algorithms, lists) for gain.
Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML)Lavado de dinero basado en el comercio (TBML)
Definition: Laundering through falsifying import/export invoices.
Trust Fund MisuseMal uso de fondos fiduciarios
Definition: Stealing or diverting trust assets for personal benefit.
U
Unauthorized TransactionTransacción no autorizada
Definition: Transfer of funds without approval of account holder.
Undisclosed Conflict of InterestConflicto de interés no divulgado
Definition: Hidden personal interests affecting professional decisions.
Unregistered SecuritiesValores no registrados
Definition: Selling investments without SEC registration.
Usury (Criminal)Usura (tasas de interés delictivas)
Definition: Charging interest rates above the legal maximum.
V
VAT Carousel FraudFraude carrusel de IVA
Definition: Cross-border scheme exploiting value-added tax refunds.
Vehicle Financing FraudFraude en financiamiento de vehículos
Definition: Providing false info to secure auto loans.
Vendor FraudFraude de proveedores
Definition: Vendors inflating prices or billing for work not performed.
W
Wage TheftRobo de salarios
Definition: Employer failure to pay lawful wages or overtime.
Wash TradingOperaciones de “wash trading”
Definition: Creating artificial volume or manipulating prices via simultaneous buy/sell.
WhistleblowerDenunciante
Definition: Person who informs on an organization engaged in illicit activity.
White-Collar CrimeDelito de cuello blanco
Definition: Non-violent crime involving deceit for financial gain.
Wire Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343)Fraude electrónico
Definition: Using electronic communications to defraud.
X
XBRL ManipulationManipulación de XBRL
Definition: Falsifying financial data submitted via XBRL systems.
Y
Yield Spread FraudFraude de margen de rendimiento
Definition: Misrepresenting mortgage rates to increase profit.
Z
Zero-Balance FraudFraude de saldo cero
Definition: Manipulating accounts to show false zero balances.
Zombie Corporation SchemeEsquema de corporación zombi
Definition: Keeping a financially dead company alive on paper to hide debt.