What kind of crimes does FBI investigate?
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What Kinds of Crimes Does the FBI Investigate?
Hey folks, have you ever wondered what types of crimes and issues fall under the FBI’s jurisdiction? As the top federal law enforcement agency in the U.S., the FBI has a whole lot of ground to cover. From terrorism to organized crime, their authority stretches across a ton of different areas.
In this article, I’ll give you an overview of the main categories and specific crimes the FBI investigates and enforces laws against. I’m not gonna use a bunch of fancy, formal language here – just simple explanations so you get a good idea of what these different FBI divisions and programs handle.
National Security Threats
The FBI is the lead agency for investigating threats to our national security right here in the homeland. This includes both international and domestic terrorism that threatens American lives or interests. Specifically, they focus on things like:
- Terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda or ISIS
- Homegrown violent extremists and “lone wolf” type attackers
- Weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical, biological, radiological)
- Espionage and foreign intelligence operations
The FBI’s Counterterrorism Division and Counterintelligence Division handle these types of cases. They work to identify and disrupt terrorist plots and spies that are operating in or against the U.S.
Organized Crime
Going after mobsters and criminal organizations is another major part of the FBI’s job. They lead multi-agency task forces targeting complex criminal activity like:
- Drug trafficking cartels
- Money laundering operations
- Gang violence and drug dealing
- Illegal gambling and bookmaking
- Prostitution and human trafficking rings
- Carjacking and cargo theft operations
The FBI’s Organized Crime Branch coordinates with local and international agencies to dismantle these criminal networks and enterprises.
White Collar Crime
The FBI is the main agency responsible for exposing major white collar crimes like:
- Securities and commodities fraud
- Corporate, mortgage, and accounting fraud
- Money laundering and embezzlement
- Insider trading and market manipulation
- Healthcare fraud and abuse
- Insurance fraud
- Mass marketing fraud
FBI agents in this area are certified public accountants, financial analysts, and other experts at “following the money” in complex financial investigations.
Cyber Crime
In our modern tech-driven world, the FBI is also on top of investigating cyber crimes like:
- Online fraud, identity theft, and hacking
- Internet auction and retail schemes
- Phishing scams and spamming
- Network intrusions and data breaches
- Theft of trade secrets and intellectual property
The FBI’s cyber crime program partners with companies, agencies, and task forces around the world to go after cyber criminals.
Public Corruption
The FBI plays a lead role in exposing corruption by public officials and government employees. They look into crimes like:
- Bribery, kickbacks, and embezzlement
- Election crimes and voter fraud
- Conflicts of interest and ethics violations
- Obstruction of justice and abuse of office
Investigating public corruption is one of the FBI’s top priorities – no dirty officials are safe from their radar!
Civil Rights Violations
Protecting civil rights is another central part of the FBI’s mission. Their civil rights program investigates abuses like:
- Hate crimes, racial violence, and human trafficking
- Color of law violations by public officials
- Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act violations
- Involuntary servitude and slavery
The FBI works to uphold equal protection under the law and bring violators to justice.
Violent and Major Offenders
The FBI also assists in investigations related to violent crime and fugitives, including:
- Murder, assault, and kidnapping cases
- Bank robberies, burglaries, and major property crimes
- Violent gang activity and drug offenses
- Locating and apprehending wanted fugitives
FBI agents provide resources, intelligence, technology, and expertise that can significantly advance these cases.
Applicant Background Checks
Finally, the FBI conducts background checks for certain applicants and officials, including:
- Political appointees and White House staff
- Congressional staffers with security clearances
- Federal judiciary candidates
- Members of the intelligence community
So as you can see, the FBI has a huge range of investigative responsibilities – too many for me to fully cover here! But I hope this overview gives you a better sense of their main focus areas and how they protect America from all kinds of threats.