Fraud Lawyers Sydney

Fraud Offences

Our team of expert fraud lawyers specialise in defending against fraud offences and have an unparalleled record helping our clients avoid criminal convictions and jail.

Some of our recent fraud cases include:

• obtaining a ‘not guilty’ verdict at trial for fraud charges totalling in excess of $3 million;
• no jail for a $1 million fraud scheme in the construction industry;
• no jail for a $600,000 bank fraud by a bank employee.

You can also view a more detailed list of our recent results for fraud offences.

With increases in the use of technology in our day to day lives there are more and more ways that fraud can be committed. Frauds can involve the use of things like computers, teller machines, and skimming devices.

The most commonly prosecuted fraud offence is contained within s192E of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) and involves either obtaining property or financial advantage from someone else or causing a financial disadvantage to someone else. The Police also need to prove that these actions were done either dishonestly or by deception.

Fraud offences can be very complex as most of the evidence is usually made up of lengthy financial records and statements.

Below are the most common types of fraud:

• Centrelink Fraud is where persons who receive welfare payments from Centrelink receive more funds than they are entitled to.
• Embezzlement is a financial fraud whereby a person in a position of trust and with lawful access to assets or funds of their employer, misappropriates the funds or assets.
• Forgery: is the fraudulent duplication or copying of documents, signatures or banknotes for use in the commission of a criminal offence.
• Goods in Custody
• Intention to Deceive by Using False or Misleading Statements
• Intention to Defraud by Destroying Accounts
• Intention to Defraud by False or Misleading Statements
• Larceny by Servant or Clerk is the fraudulent taking and carrying away of property from a person’s employer with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property.
• Money Laundering is using money reasonably suspected of being the proceeds of crime appear to come from a legitimate source. It is generally used with organised crime to hide funds obtained from illegal activities.
• Dishonestly Obtain Financial Advantage or Property by Deception is the most common fraud offence and is contained in section 192E of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) as well as division 134.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
• Perjury is knowingly giving false evidence or testimony in court

If you are under investigation or have been arrested or charged with fraud you should contact us for expert advice immediately.

The sentencing statistics for fraud show that approximately 24% of persons found guilty to fraud offences received a sentence of full time imprisonment. This is unsurprising. If a fraudulent or deceptive offence causes a person or a company a loss of $100,000 or more, there is a strong likelihood that a jail sentence will be imposed.

However, this outcome is not inevitable. Astor Legal are led by an accredited specialist in criminal law. We have beat countless fraud offences over the years and had numerous clients avoid gaol. We know the law, the cases, and the defences to fraud charges. Your first consultation is free and we offer fixed fees for most of our services.