Fraud Crimes are regulated by law in all the states and countries of the world. Fraud includes using lies, deception, or dishonesty to benefit from a person, property, or state. Governments around the world have identified several types of fraud as criminal. This post will describe the various types of frauds identified as criminal and the penalties associated with them. Scroll down to know more!
What is a Criminal Fraud?
Criminal fraud includes willfully using false statements, committing deceptive actions, and being dishonest towards a business, person or property. In addition, when you purposefully conceal the truth for any gain, not necessarily a financial gain, it is regarded as criminal fraud.
In simple words, the use of fraudulent statements that cause professional, financial, emotional, mental, etc., damage/loss to any party or person accounts for fraud crimes in many states.
Type of Criminal Frauds
States and Federal Governments have identified many fraud criminal offences and have created laws to combat such offences. However, people get punished when found guilty. Here we mention some of the fraud crimes that you should be aware of.
Mail Fraud
As the name suggests, mail fraud means when a person uses mail to gain benefit from a person or business. For example, a con artist sends a mail to the victim to send money, or the consequences will be heavy. Even if the conman does not succeed in his plan, mail usage for blackmailing someone is enough proof to file a criminal charge against him.
Covid-19 Fraud
The pandemic left people locked in their houses. The Internet was the only source that helped them continue with their life. The internet created online space to allow employees to work, kids to attend schools, and much more. However, the same also opened a door for scammers to extort money from people.
People have reported many phishing emails and scam emails that had employment opportunities and tried to extort money. Any person found doing such an act is liable to be charged as a fraud criminal and pay penalties as ordered by the court under the effective law.
Internet and Computer Fraud
Computer frauds have become quite popular in recent times. Hackers have been doing their best to get into the data of companies to take away financial information. In many cases, they even end up extorting finances. State and federal laws criminalize any such activity, including hacking, for financial, personal, or professional gains. Internet and computer frauds include charitable contribution fraud, phishing emails, identity theft, and investment fraud.
If you are filed with a fraud crime charge in Australia and need expert lawyers to get the best legal aid and representation, you should contact Smith Criminal Law. They have the best criminal lawyers who can help you through your charges. In addition, you can also contact them for legal guidance and representation on traffic, family, and civil laws.
Counterfeiting
Counterfeiting means forging money, documents, signatures, or goods. It is a federal crime to produce counterfeited currency, documents, or any object. For example, if you have gone for admission and submitted a forged birth certificate or driving license, then you will have to face a fraud crime charge levied on you under state and federal laws. Similarly, if any company or brand is found selling counterfeit goods in the brand’s name, it is also identified as a fraud crime.
Several other similar acts like deceiving someone of their property by false statements and documents, messing up in filing tax returns, money laundering, etc., are also considered criminal frauds under state laws in many countries. When held guilty, the person/party has to pay penalties as ordered by the authorities. Here is a mention of penalties levied upon the criminal for committing fraud acts.
Incarceration: Fraud convictions are punished with jail imprisonment for varying durations. The intensity of fraud committed and the person’s criminal history is considered while deciding the duration of imprisonment. The conviction can be imprisoned in a local jail or even in federal jail based on multiple factors.
Probation: The court can impose probation on the convict. However, you have to serve the punishment by staying out of jail under certain conditions. For example, you are refrained from moving out of the town, finding/maintaining a job, and reporting to a probation officer every day or once in a week as decided by the court. Generally, probation lasts 12 months, but the court decides it after reviewing multiple factors.
Fines: The most common penalty levied on fraud crime case convicts is fines. Similar to jail tenure, the fine amount also varies based on the case intensity. Additionally, the criminal may also be told t pay compensation to the victim for causing emotional, mental financial loss. The restitution amount is separate from the fine ordered by the court.
Final Words
Criminal fraud charges are levied on people who use fraudulent ways to benefit from a person, property, business, or material. Irrespective of whether the gains were financial or not, using illicit and false ways to get through something is considered criminal fraud by law. A criminal suit is filed against the person/property, and the case is heard in court. A person will need a legal representative to guide them through the charges. If the person is proven guilty as charged, they have to pay the penalty.
