What crimes does the FBI investigate?
Asked by: Prof. Bertram Marvin | Last update: July 19, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (73 votes)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) enforces federal law, and investigates a variety of criminal activity including terrorism, cybercrime, white collar crimes, public corruption, civil rights violations, and other major crimes.
What crimes get reported to the FBI?
The FBI, with its law enforcement partners, plays a key role in combating violent crime involving gangs, crimes against children, crimes in Indian Country, fugitives and missing persons, kidnappings, and bank robberies.
What are the 7 main investigative areas the FBI is responsible for?
The FBI has divided its investigations into a number of programs, such as domestic and international terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, cyber crime, public corruption, civil rights, organized crime/drugs, white-collar crime, violent crimes and major offenders, and applicant matters.
At what point does the FBI get involved?
In general, the FBI will become involved in a local law enforcement investigation or prosecution when an alleged offense falls under federal jurisdiction, when a crime is committed on federal property, when local law enforcement agencies request assistance, or when multiple jurisdictions are involved.
How to find out if the FBI is investigating you?
- Receiving a Target Letter. ...
- Federal investigators Showing Up at Your Home or Work. ...
- Having Your Phone Calls Monitored. ...
- Unusual Activity from Financial Institutions. ...
- Unexplained Grand Jury Subpoenas for Documents, Emails, or Other Records. ...
- Criminal Indictments Issued by the U.S Attorney.
When does the FBI decide to investigate a matter rather than the local or state police?
How to tell if the feds are watching you?
When the feds decide to target you for an investigation involving federal contracts, they are common signs to watch out for ( see below). The most common signs of being under investigation include talking to your friends, employees acting abnormally, and even an investigator leaving a business card on your door.
What makes the FBI investigate you?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) enforces federal law, and investigates a variety of criminal activity including terrorism, cybercrime, white collar crimes, public corruption, civil rights violations, and other major crimes.
What counts as a federal crime?
Other federal crimes include mail fraud, aircraft hijacking, carjacking, kidnapping, lynching, bank robbery, child pornography, credit card fraud, identity theft, computer crimes, federal hate crimes, animal cruelty, violations of the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), obscenity, tax ...
How long does it take the FBI to investigate?
They typically last weeks or months, and even years for the more complex and complicated cases. In fact, the investigations can last for the length of time of the statute of limitations. For most federal cases, the statute of limitations is five years.
Is FBI higher than police?
If a crime is committed that is a violation of local, state, and federal laws, does the FBI “take over” the investigation? No. State and local law enforcement agencies are not subordinate to the FBI, and the FBI does not supervise or take over their investigations.
What happens when you report someone to the FBI?
The FBI will ask you to provide as much information as possible about the perpetrator and details of the threat you have experienced. The FBI will ask for your contact information to follow‐up with you if needed. The FBI will attempt to protect your identity and confidentiality.
Who is on the FBI's most wanted list?
- OMAR ALEXANDER CARDENAS.
- DONALD EUGENE FIELDS II.
- BHADRESHKUMAR CHETANBHAI PATEL.
- ALEJANDRO ROSALES CASTILLO.
- VITEL'HOMME INNOCENT.
- WILVER VILLEGAS-PALOMINO.
- RUJA IGNATOVA.
- ARNOLDO JIMENEZ.
How to get the FBI to investigate a case?
- Submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
- Contact your local FBI field office or closest international office.
- Provide information on select major cases to 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324)
What is the most common federal crime?
- Drug Trafficking (21 U.S.C. § 841) ...
- Tax Evasion (26 U.S.C. § 7201) ...
- Human Trafficking (18 U.S.C. § 1581, et al.) ...
- Immigration Violations (8 U.S.C. § 1321 et al.) ...
- Counterfeiting (18 U.S.C. § 471, § 472) ...
- Cybercrime (18 U.S.C. § 1030)
What are Type 1 crimes?
Part I Offenses include murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, human trafficking – commercial sex acts, and human trafficking – involuntary servitude.
How many offenses are never reported to the police?
The Appeal, a news organization which focuses on the criminal legal system, has also pointed out that 50% of violent crimes, and 70% of property crimes, are never reported to the police – meaning those crimes will be missed in the data.
Should I talk to the FBI without a lawyer?
ANY information you give to an officer without an attorney, even if it seems harmless, can be used against you or someone else. Lying to a federal officer is a crime. Remaining silent is NOT a crime (except in limited situations when you can be required to identify yourself).
How do you know if you are under federal investigation?
A target letter from the U.S. Attorney's Office is an explicit indication that you are under federal investigation and are considered a potential defendant in a criminal case.
What makes a Case go federal?
Crimes in which the defendant possessed intent to cause harm to others may be charged federally due to their severity. Additionally, crimes against federal officials are charged federally, even if they would otherwise typically be handled by the state.
What are not federal crimes?
Examples of State and Federal Crimes
Examples of state criminal charges include rape, murder, DUI, drug possession, theft, robbery, shoplifting, and assault. Most misdemeanor charges are state crimes. Common examples of federal criminal charges include tax evasion, terrorism, and those levied by the IRS.
What amount of money is considered a federal crime?
if you ask how much stolen money is regarded as a federal offense; it's crucial to understand how much money and property are involved in federal crimes. This means that penalties and jail sentences are feasible for any sum of at least $1000, regardless of whether it is real estate, public records, or other assets.
How do you know if the feds will pick up your case?
As stated by the U.S. Department of Justice, the feds may pick up your case if it involves federal law violations, crosses state lines, or includes large-scale criminal activity. The FBI or other federal agencies will investigate, and if they find enough evidence, they will take over.
Is the FBI above the police?
No. The FBI is a national security organization that works closely with many partners around the country and across the globe to address the most serious security threats facing the nation. We are one of many federal agencies with law enforcement responsibilities.
Why would the FBI come to your house?
FBI agents may come to your house if they have an arrest warrant for you or someone who lives there. Some reasons you could be arrested at home: An indictment has been issued charging you with a federal crime.