Specialist Lawyers in Socio-Economic Crimes
We are a criminal law firm in Madrid specializing in socio-economic crimes. Since the founding of Valmaseda Abogados, we have consistently handled the defence in these types of proceedings, achieving significant results nationwide and especially before the National Court (Audiencia Nacional). Thanks to a solid legal strategy and deep knowledge of economic criminal law, we have obtained — in numerous cases — either the complete acquittal of our clients or the dismissal of the proceedings during the investigative phase.
In Valmaseda Abogados we are specialists in the criminal defence of socio-economic crimes in Madrid, one of the most technical and complex areas of Criminal Law, where legal, financial, accounting, and administrative aspects converge.
These crimes, also known as economic crimes or white-collar crimes, include conduct such as tax fraud, fraud, embezzlement, punishable insolvency, money laundering, corruption between private parties and in the public sphere, as well as other unlawful acts committed in the corporate or financial context.
These are offences that, due to their sophistication and impact, are usually the subject of exhaustive investigations by specialised units and can entail serious consequences not only penal, but also reputational, patrimonial, and corporate.
We work with a preventive and strategic approach, analysing each case in depth, reviewing financial documentation meticulously, and proposing solid lines of defence tailored to the particularities of each proceeding.
We know that these types of accusations often generate great concern and personal tension, which is why we offer close, professional, and transparent legal support throughout all phases of the process. If you are being investigated or accused of a socio-economic crime, having a highly specialised legal team can make the difference between a conviction and your acquittal.
What Are Socio-Economic Crimes?
Socio-economic crimes, also known as economic crimes or crimes against property and the socio-economic order, encompass a set of unlawful acts that directly affect the economy, public administration, the Treasury, the financial system, and, in general, economic order and confidence in legal and commercial transactions. Unlike violent crimes or crimes against physical integrity, socio-economic crimes are characterised by their technical complexity, planning, and, in many cases, their commission in corporate or professional contexts.
These crimes can be committed by individuals, business owners, company directors, public officials, or even organised structures. The main types of socio-economic crimes contemplated in the Spanish Penal Code include:
Fraud: Occurs when a person deceives another to obtain undue economic benefit, causing patrimonial harm to the victim. It can be committed through fraudulent schemes, false promises, concealment of information, or even using digital tools (e-fraud).
Embezzlement (Appropriation): Happens when someone who has received goods, money, or rights in custody, administration, or deposit appropriates them as their own, causing harm to the rightful owner.
Mismanagement: Arises when a company director or manager abuses their powers or acts with gross negligence, causing economic damage to the entity or person they represent.
Tax Fraud: Consists of evading payment of taxes wholly or partially by concealing income, falsifying accounting data, or using illegal mechanisms to reduce tax liability, directly affecting the Public Treasury.
Money Laundering: Involves hiding or disguising the illicit origin of funds derived from criminal activities by introducing them into the legal financial system through various operations such as investments, transfers, or purchase of assets.
Punishable Insolvency: Refers to manoeuvres carried out by a person or business that, in a real or apparent insolvency situation, knowingly harms their creditors by hiding assets, falsifying accounts, or favouring certain creditors to the detriment of others.
Corruption Between Private Parties: Takes place when, in a business or professional setting, a benefit is offered, delivered, solicited, or accepted without justification in exchange for favouring one party in contracts or economic relations.
Corruption in the Public Sphere: Includes conduct such as bribery of officials, prevarication (knowingly issuing unjust decisions), influence peddling, or embezzlement of public funds, undermining institutional impartiality and public trust.
Document Falsification: Consists of altering, fabricating, or using false documents (public, commercial, or private) with the intention of producing misleading legal effects, usually for profit or to conceal illicit acts.
Offences Against the Market and Consumers: Encompass practices such as price manipulation, misleading advertising, insider trading in stock markets, or fraudulent alteration of goods and services. These are designed to protect free competition and consumer rights.
Offences Against Intellectual and Industrial Property: Include unauthorised reproduction, distribution, or commercialisation of works protected by copyright, as well as counterfeiting of trademarks, patents, or industrial products.
Penalties for Socio-Economic Crimes
Estafa (art. 248 y ss. CP):
▸ Pena básica: Prisión de 6 meses a 3 años.
▸ Si el perjuicio supera los 50.000 euros, afecta a bienes de primera necesidad, a personas vulnerables o se comete de forma organizada:
Prisión de 1 a 6 años y multa de 6 a 12 meses.
▸ En casos especialmente graves (por ejemplo, perjuicio superior a 250.000 euros):
Prisión de 4 a 8 años y multa de 12 a 24 meses.
Apropiación indebida (art. 253 CP):
▸ Pena básica: Prisión de 6 meses a 3 años.
▸ Si concurren agravantes como especial gravedad, abuso de confianza o perjuicio económico elevado:
Prisión de 1 a 6 años y multa de 6 a 12 meses.
Administración desleal (art. 252 CP):
▸ Pena general: Prisión de 6 meses a 3 años.
▸ Con agravantes o perjuicio económico relevante:
Prisión de 1 a 6 años y multa de 6 a 12 meses.
Fraude fiscal (art. 305 y 305 bis CP):
▸ Cuando se defrauda a la Hacienda Pública más de 120.000 euros en un ejercicio fiscal:
Prisión de 1 a 5 años y multa del tanto al séxtuplo de la cantidad defraudada.
▸ Si existe agravación (organización criminal, uso de paraísos fiscales, fraude continuado, etc.):
Prisión de 2 a 6 años y multa más elevada.
Blanqueo de capitales (art. 301 CP):
▸ Pena básica: Prisión de 6 meses a 6 años y multa del tanto al triple del valor blanqueado.
▸ Si se realiza en el ejercicio de una actividad profesional o como parte de una organización:
Prisión de 3 a 6 años y multa proporcionalmente mayor.
▸ Además, se puede imponer inhabilitación especial para ejercer determinadas profesiones o actividades.Insolvencias punibles (arts. 259 y ss. CP):
▸ Pena general por alzamiento de bienes o manipulación fraudulenta en situación de insolvencia:
Prisión de 1 a 4 años y multa de 6 a 12 meses.
▸ Si se da en un concurso de acreedores o con ocultación contable:
Prisión de 2 a 6 años y multa mayor.
Corruption (arts. 286 bis and 419 and following): Includes imprisonment, fines, and disqualification depending on whether the offence involves private parties or public officials.
Document Falsification (arts. 390 and following), Market and Consumer Offences (arts. 282 and following), and Intellectual/Industrial Property Crimes (arts. 270 and 273): Each carries specific imprisonment terms, fines, and possible professional disqualifications.
Additional Consequences of Socio-Economic Crimes
Beyond custodial and financial penalties, socio-economic crimes can also result in:
Professional or absolute disqualification (e.g., from holding public office or working in certain professions)
Civil liability for economic damages
Seizure or forfeiture of assets related to the crime
Severe reputational damage, especially for business owners, professionals, or public officials
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