Legal Definitions - predatory crime

A predatory crime refers to a criminal act where the perpetrator deliberately seeks out, targets, and exploits a victim, often someone perceived as vulnerable or easily manipulated. This type of crime is characterized by the offender actively "preying" on another individual for personal gain, gratification, or to inflict harm, rather than committing a crime of opportunity against a random target.

• Example 1: An individual creates a sophisticated online phishing scheme specifically designed to trick elderly people into revealing their bank account details. The scammer sends emails impersonating a reputable financial institution, knowing that older adults might be less familiar with cybersecurity threats and more trusting of official-looking communications.

  Explanation: This illustrates a predatory crime because the perpetrator did not randomly send out phishing emails; they specifically targeted a demographic (elderly individuals) known to be potentially more vulnerable to such scams, actively seeking to exploit their trust and lack of technical familiarity for financial gain.

• Example 2: A serial burglar researches affluent neighborhoods, observing residents' routines and identifying homes that appear unoccupied during specific hours. They then break into these pre-selected homes, knowing the residents are away, to steal valuables.

  Explanation: This is a predatory crime because the burglar isn't simply breaking into the first house they see. They are deliberately "preying" on specific homes and their owners by conducting surveillance and planning their actions to exploit the vulnerability of an empty residence, maximizing their chances of success and minimizing risk.

• Example 3: A con artist befriends a lonely individual with a significant inheritance, slowly building trust over several months. Once a strong relationship is established, the con artist convinces the victim to invest a large sum of money into a fictitious business venture, ultimately stealing their funds.

  Explanation: This scenario demonstrates a predatory crime because the perpetrator intentionally sought out a vulnerable individual (lonely, wealthy) and systematically manipulated them over an extended period. The entire scheme was built on deliberately targeting and exploiting the victim's emotional state and financial resources for the con artist's personal enrichment.