Types of crime & offenders
B1 Upper-Intermediate • Vocabulary
Common crime words at B1 level: each item shows the name of the crime and the typical word for the person who commits it.
1. Theft & property crime
-
burglary
– when a burglar enters a house or building illegally to steal things.
There were several burglaries in our neighbourhood last month. -
robbery
– when a robber steals from a bank, shop or person, often using threats or violence.
The bank robbery was over in only a few minutes. -
shoplifting
– when a shoplifter steals goods from a shop while it is open.
The security guard caught a teenager for shoplifting. -
mugging
– when a mugger attacks someone in a public place and steals from them.
The man reported a mugging on his way home from work. -
vandalism
– when a vandal damages or destroys public or private property on purpose.
The walls were covered in graffiti after an act of vandalism.
2. Violent crime & personal harm
-
assault
– when an assailant violently attacks another person.
The victim of the assault immediately called the police. -
murder
– when a murderer intentionally kills someone.
He was arrested on suspicion of murder. -
manslaughter
– when someone kills a person without planning to, or without the intention to murder.
The driver was found guilty of manslaughter after the accident. -
kidnapping
– when a kidnapper takes someone away by force, often to ask for money.
The child’s kidnapping was on the news for days. -
harassment
– when a harasser repeatedly annoys or abuses someone and makes them feel scared or unhappy.
She reported the online harassment to the police.
These crimes directly hurt people, either physically or emotionally.
3. Money & business crime
-
fraud
– when a fraudster lies or tricks people in order to get money or benefits.
The company lost a lot of money because of fraud. -
forgery
– when a forger illegally copies documents, money or signatures to deceive others.
He was arrested for forgery after signing cheques in another name. -
embezzlement
– when an embezzler secretly takes money that was in their care, for example company money.
The accountant went to prison for embezzlement. -
extortion
– when an extortionist threatens someone in order to get money or another benefit.
The emails demanding money were treated as extortion. -
drug trafficking
– when a drug trafficker sells, transports or imports illegal drugs.
Drug trafficking is punished very seriously in many countries.
4. Damage, movement & cybercrime
-
arson
– when an arsonist deliberately sets fire to a building, car or other property.
The fire in the warehouse was a case of arson. -
smuggling
– when a smuggler secretly moves goods in or out of a country illegally.
They were caught smuggling jewellery across the border. -
terrorism
– when a terrorist uses violence or threats to create fear for political or religious reasons.
The government increased security after the terrorism threat. -
cybercrime
– when a cybercriminal commits crimes using computers or the internet.
Cybercrime includes stealing bank details or personal data online. -
hacking
– when a hacker breaks into a computer system without permission.
The company hired experts to protect its system from hacking.
Law & justice
Crime types & offenders
Exercises:
Types of crime & offenders
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence below.
1
Someone broke into the house at night to steal a TV and jewellery – the police are investigating a case of
.
Correct:
Burglary = illegally entering a building to steal things.
2
Two masked men with guns stole money from the bank while it was open – it was a violent
.
Correct:
Robbery = stealing from a person or place using violence or threats.
3
Security cameras recorded a woman putting cosmetics into her bag and walking out of the store without paying – this is
.
Correct:
Shoplifting = stealing goods from a shop while acting like a customer.
4
A man was attacked on the street and his phone and wallet were taken by force – he was a victim of
.
Correct:
Mugging = attacking someone in a public place to steal from them.
5
The bus stop and several cars were covered in graffiti and their windows were broken – the police are treating it as
.
Correct:
Vandalism = damaging or destroying property on purpose.
6
The nightclub fight ended with one man in hospital and another one arrested for
.
Correct:
Assault = violently attacking or hurting someone.
7
He planned the killing for months and shot the victim deliberately – he was found guilty of
.
Correct:
Murder = intentionally killing someone.
8
The driver didn’t plan to kill anyone, but his dangerous driving caused a death, so he was convicted of
.
Correct:
Manslaughter = killing someone without intention, for example through carelessness.
9
The child was taken and kept in a secret place until the family paid money – the police are dealing with a case of
.
Correct:
Kidnapping = taking a person by force and keeping them, often for ransom.
10
She reported her colleague for sending repeated unwanted messages and comments that made her feel unsafe – the company is investigating
.
Correct:
Harassment = repeatedly disturbing, threatening or annoying someone.
11
The company lied to investors about its profits to get more money – this financial
affected thousands of people.
Correct:
Fraud = cheating someone to get money or advantage, often in business.
12
The police found a workshop where criminals were making fake passports and banknotes – they were arrested for
.
Correct:
Forgery = making false documents, signatures or money to deceive people.
13
Over several years, the accountant secretly took small amounts of the company’s money and put it into his own account – this is
.
Correct:
Embezzlement = stealing money that you are responsible for, especially from your employer.
14
A gang threatened to damage the restaurant if the owner didn’t pay them every month – the police called this
.
Correct:
Extortion = forcing someone to give you money by using threats or violence.
15
The international gang moved large quantities of cocaine across borders and sold it in several countries – they were arrested for
.
Correct:
Drug trafficking = producing, transporting or selling illegal drugs, often on a large scale.
16
Investigators discovered that the warehouse fire was started deliberately with petrol – they are treating it as
.
Correct:
Arson = deliberately setting fire to a building or property.
17
Customs officers found jewellery and cigarettes hidden in the car that the driver didn’t declare at the border – this is
.
Correct:
Smuggling = secretly taking goods or people into or out of a country illegally.
18
The group planted bombs on public transport to spread fear and push their political message – this act is considered
.
Correct:
Terrorism = using extreme violence to create fear for political or religious reasons.
19
Stealing credit card details online and spreading computer viruses are both forms of
carried out via the internet.
Correct:
Cybercrime = crimes committed using computers or the internet in general.
20
The attacker broke into the company’s computer system without permission to access confidential files – this is a case of
.
Correct:
Hacking = illegally entering a computer system or network.
Types of crime & offenders
Match the sentences with the crime types
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