The offence of deception involves a person actively deceiving another person(s) by giving false information in order to obtain an advantage such as obtaining money, bank loan or credit card, insurance settlement or a service.

The Fraud Act 2006 categorises fraud into three categories, fraud by:

• false representation

• failure to disclose information when there is a legal duty to do so

• abuse of position.

Deception and Fraud offences are dealt with in the Crown Court as often large sums of money are involved. If you are facing prosecution or under investigation for deception or fraud, it is crucial to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity. The law surrounding deception and fraud can be very complex.

If you are found guilty of a deception or fraud offence you could be facing up to 10 years imprisonment. If you are guilty of deception or fraud, the earlier you enter a guilty plea, the more likely you are to receive a reduced sentence. Entering a guilty plea up to the first hearing, could reduce your sentence by up to one third. The later you enter a guilty plea, the less lenient the Court will be to reduce your sentence.

The criminal defence team at Forbes have a wide range of experience when it comes to cases of deception and fraud. Receiving expert legal advice if you are accused of or questioned in relation to deception is vital at the earliest possible opportunity. We run a 24/7 service which operates 365 days a year, so someone from our dedicated team of criminal defence solicitors is always there when you need them, providing this service nationwide.