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Embezzlement is one of the theft offenses that you may hear mentioned often by Southern California criminal attorneys, mostly because it has become rampant in our world today.   Embezzlement is the crime that points to taking or using money that was entrusted to you, even if you do not own that money.  An example would be a cashier taking some of the sales profit while the owner is away and using it to purchase things without permission from the shop owner.  People who may want to learn more about the crime of embezzlement may research over the World Wide Web, or speak to a Los Angeles embezzlement lawyer. 

One of the most popular elements of embezzlement is the presence of trust.   The victim entrusted his money to the embezzler thinking that it was in safe keeping until he needs it back.  The crime of embezzlement, as a Los Angeles embezzlement lawyer will point out, does not have the element of trespassing, as compared to other kinds of theft offenses. 

Embezzlers are usually caught during the time wherein a significant amount of money has been taken.   In most companies, cases of embezzlement may only be discovered when quarterly or yearly financial audits have been performed and have shown discrepancies which may not be noticed during ‘ordinary work days.’  

Southern California criminal attorneys mostly observe that embezzlement is done in a way that is premeditated or performed methodically.  The intention of concealing activities that pertain to embezzlement is there, and that is why most embezzlement activities start with taking very small amounts of money, those that are unnoticeable. 

A Los Angeles embezzlement lawyer may also share to you that people who have been successful in embezzling small amounts continue the crime for a number of years, and eventually increase the amount of money taken without being detected by the victims.  When the time comes wherein the victims have the need for their funds, only then will they realize that they have been tricked by the people they have trusted.

Southern California criminal attorneys may discuss about the methods of embezzlement such as:

 Record or document falsification

A person who engages in embezzlement usually falsifies documents, more often than not financial in nature for his crime not to be noticed by the trusting victim.  An example of this method of embezzlement is an office manager falsifying employee records, specifically making upper management think that the said employee still works for the company, when in fact she has resigned.  The salary paid to that ‘ghost employee’ of course goes into the office manager’s pocket.   A Los Angeles embezzlement lawyer may make you aware that the said illegal activity may not be discovered unless a serious audit or background check is made by upper management.       

 Creating false accounts or bogus invoices

An embezzler may also create a false account to be able to take their victim’s money.  For example, a bank employee may steal from clients and then transfer the funds into a ‘bogus account.’  An embezzler may also give invoices or bills to unknowing clients who may think that a service has been provided or a tool or material has been bought for the company, when in fact, the money they pay will only go into the offender’s pocket, without giving anything in exchange for the money.   

The most common sign of embezzlement, as observed by a Los Angeles embezzlement lawyer, is a sudden change in the way the offender lives, e.g. being able to buy a luxury car, even without substantial extra income that may be able to explain where the embezzler got the money to buy the vehicle.  Some companies may also be suspicious of embezzlement if some financial records suddenly go missing, especially when audits are being conducted.  

Small businesses, international companies, even ordinary people may not really be safe from embezzlement.  The fact is that it may not really be that easy to discover the said crime, unless you check your financial records on a daily basis, which may be quite impossible to do, especially for business owners.   A Los Angeles embezzlement lawyer will be able to give you a lot of assistance if you are suspicious of an embezzling activity being done against you.  On the other hand, if you are the embezzler and you have been put into questioning, it is also a must to find a good Los Angeles embezzlement lawyer who will be able to protect your rights and give you a good fight when your day in court comes.