Embezzlement facts for kids
Embezzlement is a type of theft. It happens when someone who is trusted with money or property takes it for themselves. Imagine a manager at a store who is supposed to handle the daily sales. If that manager secretly takes some of the money from the sales for their own use, that's embezzlement. It's like stealing, but from a position of trust.
This crime often happens in companies or even government offices. It can involve taking cash, valuable assets, or even using company property as if it were their own. Sometimes, people try to hide the theft by changing records or accounting books.
How Embezzlement Happens
There are different ways people can embezzle.
- "Skimming off the top" means taking small amounts of money regularly over a long time. It's like a little bit disappears each day, which can add up to a lot.
- Sometimes, a person might take a very large amount of money all at once and then disappear.
- Managers might also steal money by reporting less income than the business actually made. They then keep the extra money that wasn't reported.
Why Embezzlement is Wrong
Embezzlement is a serious problem because it breaks trust. When someone embezzles, they are betraying the trust placed in them by their company or the public. It can cause big financial problems for businesses and even lead to them closing down. It's also against the law and has serious consequences.
See also
In Spanish: Desfalco para niños
