Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of embezzlement?

Embezzlement is defined as the unlawful appropriation of property or funds that have been entrusted to an individual's care, typically in a professional setting. One key characteristic of embezzlement is that it requires a position of trust; the embezzler usually has access to assets because they hold a position that gives them responsibility over these assets.

Additionally, embezzlement involves financial transactions, as it often entails the misallocation or theft of money or assets rather than physical property.

The incorrect option in this case is the one that states embezzlement involves the use of force or threats. This characteristic does not apply to embezzlement; rather, it describes crimes such as robbery or extortion, where coercion is used. Embezzlement, by contrast, is characterized by deceit and betrayal of trust rather than intimidation. Thus, the assertion that embezzlement includes the use of force is not aligned with the true nature of the crime.