Fraud Offences Lawyer Parramatta, Sydney, Norwest & NSW - Expert Defence

Charged with a fraud offence in Parramatta, Sydney, Norwest, Castle Hill, or anywhere in NSW? Fraud offences include obtain property by deception, obtain financial advantage by deception, dishonestly obtain property, goods in custody (receiving stolen property), demand money with menaces, identity fraud, and credit card fraud. These offences carry penalties ranging from fines to 10+ years imprisonment depending on the charge and value involved. Whether you're facing charges for workplace fraud in Norwest, online fraud, Centrelink fraud, insurance fraud, or receiving stolen goods in Parramatta or Castle Hill, you need expert legal representation.

At Barsha Defence Lawyers, we have offices in Parramatta (5 minute walk to Parramatta Local Court and Parramatta District Court) and Norwest (serving Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Rouse Hill, and the Hills District with FREE on-site parking). We regularly defend fraud charges in Parramatta Local Court, Parramatta District Court, Blacktown Local Court, Penrith Local Court, and across Western Sydney and NSW. Our experienced criminal defence team has successfully defended hundreds of fraud cases achieving charge withdrawals, not guilty verdicts, and minimal sentences.

Fraud Offences We Defend in Parramatta, Sydney, Norwest & NSW

We defend all fraud and dishonesty offences under the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW):

Common Fraud Scenarios in Parramatta, Sydney, Norwest & Castle Hill

Centrelink & Government Benefits Fraud:

• Failing to declare income to Centrelink while receiving benefits
• Claiming benefits not entitled to
• Providing false information to Services Australia
• Continuing to claim after circumstances changed

Workplace & Employee Fraud:

• Employee theft from Parramatta, Norwest, Castle Hill businesses
• Falsifying timesheets, expense claims
• Misusing company credit cards
• Embezzlement from employer
• Payroll fraud

Online & Digital Fraud:

• Online marketplace scams (Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree)
• Selling items never delivered
• Receiving payment for services never provided
• Using stolen credit card details for online purchases
• Identity theft, impersonation

Credit Card & Bank Fraud:

• Using someone else's credit card without permission
• Making purchases with found credit card
• Bank account fraud
• Check fraud, forged checks

Insurance Fraud:

• Exaggerating insurance claims
• Making false claims for items never owned
• Staging accidents for insurance payouts

Goods in Custody (Receiving Stolen Property):

• Buying cheap goods from Facebook/Gumtree knowing likely stolen
• Receiving stolen electronics, jewelry, tools
• Possessing stolen vehicles or vehicle parts
• Pawn shop selling stolen property

Business & Commercial Fraud:

• Invoice fraud, false billing
• Tax fraud, GST fraud
• Misleading investors
• False financial statements

Fraud Offence Penalties NSW - Summary Table

Common Defences to Fraud Offences

For Obtain Property/Financial Advantage by Deception:

• No deception: You did not make any false representations
• Not dishonest: Your conduct was not dishonest by community standards
• No intent to defraud: You did not intend to dishonestly obtain property/advantage
• Honest and reasonable mistake: Genuine mistake about entitlement or circumstances
• Claim of right: Honest belief you were entitled to property/money

For Goods in Custody (Receiving Stolen):

• Did not know property was stolen: You had no knowledge or suspicion property was stolen
• Not in custody/possession: Property did not belong to you
• Property not stolen: Property was not actually stolen

General Defences:

• Mental health defence: Section 14 application for mental illness or cognitive impairment
• Duress: Forced to commit fraud under threat
• Necessity: Committed offence to prevent greater harm

Court Process for Fraud Offences

1. Investigation: Police investigate fraud allegations (often months-long investigations)
2. Charge: Court Attendance Notice or arrest
3. First Appearance: Mention at Parramatta, Castle Hill, Blacktown Local Court
4. Brief of Evidence: Police provide financial records, statements, transaction records
5. Negotiations: Your lawyer negotiates with police/DPP for withdrawal or facts amendment
6. Committal (if indictable): Serious fraud matters committed to District Court
7. Plea: Plead guilty or plead not guilty
8. Sentencing or Trial: Local Court sentencing for summary matters, District Court for indictable

Will I Go to Jail for Fraud?

Imprisonment depends on fraud type, value, and criminal history:

Low-Value Fraud (Under $5,000):

• First offenders: Section 10, fine, or Community Correction Order common
• Repeat offenders: 6-12 months imprisonment

Medium-Value Fraud ($5,000-$50,000):

• First offenders, restitution paid: Intensive Correction Order or suspended sentence
• No restitution or repeat offenders: 12-24 months imprisonment

High-Value Fraud ($50,000+):

• All offenders: 2-10 years full-time imprisonment likely
• Sophisticated fraud, breach of trust: 5-10 years imprisonment

Centrelink Fraud:

• Under $10,000, first offender: Section 10 or fine common
• $10,000-$50,000: Community Correction Order or Intensive Correction Order
• $50,000+: Full-time imprisonment

Can I Get Section 10?

YES — Section 10 possible for fraud offences, particularly:

• Low-value fraud (under $5,000)
• First offenders with no criminal history
• Full restitution paid before sentencing (very important)
• Genuine mistake or misunderstanding
• Good character references from Parramatta, Norwest, Castle Hill employers/community
• Early guilty plea with remorse
• Mental health issues contributing to offending

How Your Parramatta, Sydney or Norwest Fraud Lawyer Can Help

• Analyze complex financial records and transaction evidence
• Challenge prosecution evidence (insufficient proof of dishonesty/deception)
• Establish honest and reasonable mistake defence
• Establish claim of right (believed entitled to property/money)
• Negotiate with police/DPP for charge withdrawal or downgrade
• Arrange full restitution to victim before sentencing (critical for reducing penalty)
• Obtain character references from Parramatta, Norwest, Castle Hill employers/community
• Obtain psychological/psychiatric reports
• Prepare comprehensive sentencing submissions emphasizing restitution, remorse, rehabilitation
• Run defended hearings and District Court trials for serious fraud charges
• Appear in Parramatta, Castle Hill, Blacktown Local & District Courts

Related Criminal Offences

• Larceny — theft/stealing
• Property Offences
• Bail Applications
• Mental Health Applications

External Resources - Fraud Law NSW

• Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) - Fraud Offences
• NSW Judicial Commission
• Legal Aid NSW