RALEIGH, N.C. — A newly released report from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety shows reported incidents of white-collar crime increased across the state between 2020 and 2024.

The report, compiled by the Criminal Justice Analysis Center, found increases in fraud, embezzlement and extortion cases reported to law enforcement agencies statewide.

Caroline Farmer, executive director of the Governor’s Crime Commission, said agencies have seen a growing number of cases involving deception, trickery and coercion.

According to the report, extortion incidents — including blackmail-related offenses — more than doubled during the four-year period. Researchers also found a significant increase in male extortion victims under the age of 30 during 2023.

The data further showed fraud rates increased most among adults between the ages of 65 and 74, highlighting continued concerns about scams and financial crimes targeting older residents.

While fraud, embezzlement and extortion cases increased, the report noted that reported counterfeiting incidents declined during the same period.

State officials encourage anyone who believes they have been the victim of a white-collar crime to report it to local law enforcement and contact the North Carolina Department of Justice for assistance.

The full report was presented during a quarterly meeting of the Governor’s Crime Commission in Raleigh.