Fraud offences can be serious crimes with serious repercussions. If you’ve found yourself charged with accounts of fraud, and you don’t know where to turn, the most important thing to do is seek legal advice. Fraud cases are extremely common, but nearly 86% of these cases aren’t reported. Fraudulent crime can harm a range of different people, and the consequences of this crime will often result in jail time.
Luckily, our blog provides a complete guide to fraud cases and the benefits of hiring a solicitor for your case. If you’ve been accused of fraudulent activity, we are here to help you take the right steps. To find out more about fraud law in Aberdeen, keep on reading!
What Is Fraud?
If you aren’t clued up on what fraud is, allow us to explain.
Fraud is a serious crime that is usually carried out as a deceptive action. The aim of fraudulent actions is typically to illegally gain money, information or confidential information at the expense of the victim. Common types of fraud are:
● Tax fraud
● Credit card fraud
● Identity theft
● Failure to disclose information that is legally required
● False representations
● Security fraud
These are some of the key examples of fraud, but it can also take on other forms such as false insurance claims and other financial theft operations.
Fraud attacks or other kinds of scams can happen to any individual. With the rise of cyber crime and online Phishing, perpetrators can easily gain access to people’s accounts, details and other sensitive information. Elderly people and more vulnerable individuals are often the targets of fraudulent attacks, as they may be less aware of protective measures, meaning the consequences of these attacks can be pretty severe. WIth that being said, anyone can be a victim of fraud or scamming and it’s extremely important to protect yourself.
It’s not only individuals who are the victims of fraud. Many fraud cases target businesses, companies and other large organisations for sensitive information, client details, account details…etc. Fraud that leads to theft can be extremely harmful to businesses in a range of ways. When sensitive information is leaked, it can have a massively negative impact on clients and shareholders finances, often resulting in losses. It can cause doubt in other customers and clients, as the business’ security is questioned. This can lead to further financial losses and even bankruptcy.
Fraud Charges In Aberdeen
Fraud is a common law offence in Scotland, covering a wide range of activities. The Fraud Act 2006 separates acts of fraud from acts of theft, covering:
● Fraud by failure to disclose information when legally required
● Fraud by abuse of position
● Fraud by false representation
Other laws and regulations such as the Theft Act, Computer Misuse Act and the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act target other types of fraudulent activities.
When it comes to being charged with fraud, the severity of your case will likely determine your sentence. Very serious cases of fraudulent activity are more likely to receive the longest prison sentences. Banking, insurance fraud and credit fraud cases also result in imprisonment most of the time. Your sentence will typically depend on how much money was involved in the crime or if there was abuse of a position of trust.
The longest sentence for an act of fraud is 10 years imprisonment. Depending on your conviction, the prosecution may commence POCA proceedings against you. This means Proceeds of Crime Act, where essentially a confiscation order is issued. This confiscation order permits any illegally obtained assets to be seized and then given to the government.
If you’re worried about the severity of your case, your best option is to
talk to a professional solicitor or seek
legal advice.
How Can A Fraud Solicitor Help Me?
If you’re been charged with fraud, the most important thing to do first is to seek legal representation. As we’ve already mentioned, your sentence will depend on the severity of your case, however in any situation it’s best to be prepared. Seeking out legal representation sooner rather than later will help you get the best chance of a successful outcome. Read on to find out how legal representation can help your case.
How Will Legal Representation Benefit Me?
Legal representation can be extremely useful for several reasons which we have listed down below. For defendants facing a fraud charge, the best decision is to choose a fraud solicitor who has experience in fraud cases, as this will benefit your case the most. A fraud investigation can be a pretty time consuming process and it can be mentally exhausting for the individual being investigated. Read below to understand how a fraud solicitor can help you.
Knowledge Of The Law
When it comes to specific cases such as fraudulent activity, having a lawyer or solicitor who specialises in this area is extremely beneficial. Someone who has a deeper understanding of your charges, your sentence and the best potential result, can help you figure out the best possible approach to your case.
Court Systems
Not only will your legal professional help you with their knowledge of the law, they will also have knowledge and expertise regarding the court rooms. When you are actually in court, it may be a little intimidating and you may feel unsure as to what the process is like. Your solicitor will be able to walk you through each step of the case, how the courtroom will work and guide you through the process.
Paperwork & Evidence
With fraud related court cases comes a lot of paperwork. Filling out the correct forms and paperwork can get confusing. Luckily, by hiring a solicitor, your paperwork will be organised and filed in the correct way.
Additionally, you won’t need to guess which documents you need, as your solicitor will outline all the relevant paperwork and forms that you need to complete.
Support
Going through a legal case is going to be emotionally, mentally and physically challenging for anyone. The process can be extremely draining for many individuals, however by hiring a lawyer or a solicitor, you have access to support at all times during your case.
While it’s your solicitor’s job to represent you legally, they will be able to provide neutral and practical support throughout every step of the process. If you’re feeling unsure about any of your cases or you have questions, your solicitor is there to help you gain the best possible outcome.
Peace Of Mind
Additionally, with the help and professional support of your solicitor, you should be able to achieve more peace of mind. Tackling any kind of legal case alone, or with improper advice can make things more difficult and uncertain. Hiring a professional solicitor who you can rely on and trust will bring you peace of mind throughout the case, alleviating some of the mental exhaustion you may be experiencing.
Experience
If you decide to hire a fraud solicitor, you have the advantage of their experience in this area. Throughout your case, you may be experiencing a lot of things for the first time, however your solicitor will have experience already and know more about protocols and proceedings.
Your solicitor may have encountered a case similar to yours in the past, and if you run into any issues throughout the process, your solicitor will be well equipped to deal with these problem situations. You should feel confident in your legal professional, and be able to rely on them throughout your case for support.
Fraud In Aberdeen: Finding Criminal Fraud Solicitors In Aberdeen
If you’ve been accused of criminal fraud in Aberdeen, or you’re looking for fraud law professionals in Aberdeen, look no further. Here at Lefevre Litigation Ltd, our team has the knowledge and expertise to help you get the best result for your situation.
Our knowledge of fraud law in Aberdeen gives us the perfect skill set to help you achieve a satisfactory outcome. To find out more about our fraud law services, feel free to
contact us today for more information.
