Anything gained or obtained by committing a crime?

• A. Proceeds of a crime
• B. Fruits of a crime
• C. Ill-gotten gains
• D. Criminal proceeds

Answer: (C)

Ill-gotten gains is the broad term for any wealth or property obtained through illegal activity. It captures the idea that money, goods, or other benefits acquired by committing a crime should be treated as illegitimate and potentially subject to forfeiture or restitution. Proceeds of a crime and fruits of a crime are related concepts—proceeds refer to money or property directly derived from the criminal act, and fruits refer to items that result from the crime—but ill-gotten gains best fits the prompt because it encompasses all types of illicit gains, regardless of how they were obtained. This concept is central to forfeiture and disgorgement efforts, aiming to strip offenders of the benefits gained from wrongdoing.