Economic and financial crime is not a recent phenomenon; its forms have evolved throughout history, mirroring changes in economic systems.  From ancient Egypt's tax system and Horemheb's legislation (1330 BC) to the Roman Empire's laws regulating trade and pricing with varying punishments based on social class,  economic crime has existed alongside economic regulation.  The Islamic Hisbah system also aimed to control markets and prevent exploitation.  In France, laws regulating food prices and exports date back to 1311, with penalties including corporal punishment and exile.  The 19th and 20th centuries saw a surge in economic crime, driven by World Wars I and II, the 1929 economic crisis, and rapid industrialization.  The rise of large corporations and financial institutions led to new forms of crime, particularly "white-collar crime," involving fraud and deceit committed by individuals with high social standing.  Post-Cold War globalization exacerbated this, with money laundering and corruption threatening global economic and political stability.  This evolution highlights the persistent challenge of combating economic crime across diverse historical contexts.