Different Types of Fraud in Melbourne
Although the word fraud can evoke ideas of despicable behavior in the minds of most people, it is rarely so simple in reality. There are many different types of errors that can make that could be classified as fraud. If you have been accused of fraud, it is important that you are familiar with your legal rights. In this blog, we examine the different types of fraud offenses in Melbourne and the possible defenses for each.
Types of Fraud
Fraud is an offense that can take many forms. Some of the most common fraud offenses include:
Falsification of Documents
If it is of public notoriety that the counterfeiting of legal, financial and other documents is illegal, it is less known that the falsification of documents can also be considered as fraud. In general, one of the most common actions that can give rise to falsification of documents is when a person signs a document pretending to be another person. You may be in trouble to use such a falsified document to mislead another person or to try to defraud someone else.
Blackmail
The blackmail refers to a situation where a person requests another person, while threatening to cause damage to the other person if the request is not satisfied. Current situations where you can face a blackmail charge include cases where you discover that another person deceives their partner and threatens to reveal this information unless the other person pays you money.
Hacking
Piracy, more commonly known as unauthorized data access, is increasingly widespread fraud. When you play with the code on various websites, there is a fine line between harmless pleasure and hacking. If you access or modify data such as passwords without authorization, it is likely that you can face a criminal accusation for hacking.
Possible Defences to Fraud Offences
According to the specific fraud offense, the defense that you can lift before the courts may vary. Certain current defenses to fraud include:
- Proving that your demand was lawful in the case of blackmail.
- Arguing that you did not commit the offence in cases of hacking.
- Arguing that you reasonably believed that you had the right to modify a document in cases of falsification of documents.
Getting a Criminal Defence Lawyer in Melbourne
If he was given the choice, nobody would like to face criminal charges. However, everyone is making mistakes and if you are in a position where you are facing a fraud accusation, it is important for you to hire a criminal defense lawyer. A fraud lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and can help you argue your defense if your business goes to court.
Leanne Warren & Associates is a leading company for criminal lawyers in the Melbourne region. With decades of experience, our team will certainly be able to help you set up the best possible defense for your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.