RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — As National Financial Crime Fighter Day is approaching on Saturday, Virginia State Police announced a new program to develop agents specialized in fighting financial crimes.
Virginia State Police launched the “Financial Crimes Special Agent Development Program,” which began this fall. The program is a collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and Northern Virginia Community College, which is offering 11 classes as part of the effort.
The coursework includes a number of college courses as well as National White Collar Crimes Center courses.
Virginia State Police covers the cost for the agents, and graduates will receive a Certificate in Financial Investigations after completion of the approximately year-and-a-half long program.
“Financial crimes impact a high percentage of the population,” said Captain John Defilippi, Commander of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Culpeper Field Office. “This program will allow us to fight financial crime more effectively and efficiently.”
Financial crimes include embezzlement, online scams, insurance fraud and payroll fraud. The loss of money faced in Virginia can extend into the millions.