Philip Gomm, from Thames Valley Crimestoppers, said illegal tobacco trading was misconceived as a "victimless crime".

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That lack of moral compass is where the notion of a "victimless crime" comes in.

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Ofcom's head of investigations, Paul Mercer, told BBC News that pirate radio was not a victimless crime.

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Lake most assuredly won't buy the "victimless crime" argument, which the defense has hinted at as well.

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Does he defend the victimless crime laws against online gambling and consensual sex for money between adults?

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It is not a victimless crime but it is organised criminality and people are making a lot of money out of it.

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Moreover, while the SEC makes headlines with proceedings against insider trading, argaably a victimless crime, it seems at times that the biggest perpetrators of securities fraud go scotfree.

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Corruption is not a victimless crime, he says.

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But Obama's double-standard is not a victimless crime.

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With the prosecution resting on a civil complaint charging Gold and Silver Reserve, Inc. with operating as an unlicensed money-transmitting business, Jackson finally acquiesced in July 2008 and plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering (a victimless crime) and operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business rather than the alternative threat of 20 years in jail and a half million dollar fine.

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"Across the police there is a growing recognition that heritage crime is not victimless, " he said.

BBC: Clifford's Tower with graffiti (inset)