Committing Fraud by Obtaining a Financial Advantage
If you by deception or dishonestly obtain financial advantage from another person, or cause another person any financial disadvantage, you can be found guilty of the offence of fraud. The maximum penalty for this offence in NSW is 10 years’ imprisonment. While...
Will I Face Criminal Charges if I Have an Overpayment from Centrelink?
If you have received an overpayment from Centrelink, or any other government organisation, you may be charged with a criminal offence, depending on the circumstances. Offences involving Centrelink Fraud are classified as Commonwealth Offences, which means that they are dealt...
What Are the Penalties for Using a Forged Document?
Fraud has long been recognised as a criminal offence, and according to figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research’s latest quarterly crime report, released in December, fraud has increased by 20.7 per cent over the past two...
Is Crime on the Increase?
If you follow the news, it would appear that crime is an ever-increasing problem, particularly in cities, but how true is this? Is crime really increasing, or could it actually be on a downward trend? The increased coverage of crime...
The NSW Crimes Act: Computer Offences and Cyber Bullying
With the proliferation of new technology, computer crime in Australia is increasing both in scope and complexity. Most people regularly use a computer and mobile phone along with email and social media, and are exposed to the online world on...
What Should I do if I’m facing A Centrelink Overpayment Prosecution?
Over payment of Centrelink benefits can lead to serious criminal charges, particularly if it is believed that you deliberately withheld information or misled Centrelink for the purposes of receiving benefits that you weren’t entitled to. The process for Centrelink overpayment...
The Impact of Technology on Organised Crime
The internet has revolutionised all our lives. From online shopping to finding information and socialising, the rise of digital technology has made it more convenient for us to keep in touch, organise ourselves and manage day-to-day tasks. Technology has also...
Will Tap and Go Technology Lead to an Increase in Petty Crime?
Tap and go technology is a relatively new credit card innovation from banks. Recently introduced in a bid to make it easier and quicker for shoppers to use credit and debit cards, with tap and go technology there is no...
False AVO Applications Made a Crime
Making a false application for an apprehended personal violence order (APVO) has become a crime under legislation passed by the NSW Parliament in October. Under the changes, first announced by NSW Attorney General Greg Smith, offenders found guilty of making...
Fraud Cases in NSW Increasing, Crime Report Shows
Fraud offences have been on the increase in NSW over the last two years, a report from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) reveals. The quarterly update on recorded crime statistics, released in September, shows an increase...
