Fraud, Dishonesty & Identity
Theft Lawyers Melbourne

At James Dowsley & Associates, we have expert solicitors who can advise you on any criminal Fraud, Dishonesty and Identity Theft charges in Victoria

  • It is illegal to pose as someone else, lie to a legal body, or obtain property by deceiving someone
  • These crimes can incur serious penalties, ranging from fines to time in prison, so it is important you access quality legal advice
  • We can represent you in both the Magistrates’ and County Court where Fraud, Dishonesty and Identity Theft cases are heard

Need immediate assistance in relation to Fraud or a similar offence?

Call James Dowsley & Associates 24/7 on (03) 9781 4900

JDA Legal Criminal Law Expert Fraud Identity Theft Experts

The Process

If you are facing a Fraud, Dishonesty or Identity Theft related charge, the following steps may ensue:
  • Police may interview an accused before or after laying charges. Information provided to police at the interview stage can be important
  • Police may have a warrant to search your home or work, including information on your, or your employees’ computers
  • If a charge proceeds, you will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty
  • A trial may be held and all evidence presented
  • If you are found guilty, the court must decide on a penalty. Penalties for Fraud, Dishonesty and Identity Theft offences can vary from fines to several years in prison

Expert legal advice at every step of this process ensures you are informed and prepared.

Types of Fraud, Dishonesty & Identity Theft Offences

A very long list of crimes come under Fraud and Dishonesty.

They range in severity, some being Summary Offences and others being Indictable. For example, as per the Crimes Act 1958 Sections 81 to 83, Serious Fraud or Obtaining Property by Deception Offences can carry a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years.

It is important to understand the exact crime you are being charged with and the possible penalties that may be imposed.

The seriousness of such offences may depend on factors including:

JDA role

Your role and specific activities in the alleged crime

JDA VAlue

The value of any items/money involved

JDA Trust

Whether any breach of trust took place

JDA Length Time

The length of time the alleged offences occurred over

Read the following descriptions for more information on specific crimes.

Obtaining Property by Deception

Deception, as defined by Section 81 of The Crimes Act 1958, includes any false words or conduct as to fact or as to law, whether deliberate or reckless.

The crime of Obtaining Property by Deception occurs when someone dishonesty leads to them obtaining or controlling property that rightfully belongs to another person. There are four elements that must be proved beyond reasonable doubt to make a conviction of Obtaining Property by Deception.

Read more
Making or Using a False Document

Falsification of documents is listed under Section 83A of the Crimes Act 1958. It is intentionally using or making documents that you know are not of an honest and legal nature.

You may also be charged if you are found in possession of a machine designed or adapted for the intention of making a false document.

Read more
Identity Theft and Fraud

Division 2AA of the Crimes Act 1958 lays out all identity crimes in Victoria.

Legally, identification documentation refers to an item that contains or incorporates identification information and is capable of being used by a person to be, or pretend to be someone else real, made up, dead or alive.

Read more
Other Related Charges Under Victorian Law:
  • False Accounting
  • Falsification of Documents
  • False Statements by Company Directors
  • Suppression of Documents
  • Blackmail
  • Obtaining Property by Deception
  • Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception
  • Destruction of Evidence
  • Tax Evasion Unauthorised Access to or Modification of Restricted Data Money Laundering

Need a Criminal Lawyer in Melbourne for a Fraud, Dishonesty, Identity Theft or Related Offence?

Call (03) 9781 4900 to speak to a qualified JDA criminal lawyer for immediate support and advice. Our phones are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. .

Request a Free Consultation

Key contacts

Speak to our criminal law specialists
Adrienna Kisvarda
Adrienna Kisvarda
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
(03) 9781 4900 - adriennak@jdalaw.com.au
Kymberley Skillen
Kymberley Skillen
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
03 8788 5600 - kyms@jdalaw.com.au
Melainie Vinton
Melainie Vinton
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
03 8788 5600 - melainiev@jdalaw.com.au
Ben Hanley
Ben Hanley
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
03 9781 4900 - benh@jdalaw.com.au
Lorna Williamson
Lorna Williamson
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
03 9781 4900 - lornaw@jdalaw.com.au
Anthony Maselli
Anthony Maselli
Criminal Defence Lawyer Melbourne
03 8602 1400 - anthonym@jdalaw.com.au
James Dowsley
James Dowsley
Principal & Accredited Criminal Law Specialist
James has been involved in the Criminal Justice System as a Lawyer for over 25 years and gained his Specialist Accreditation from the Law Institute of Victoria in 2002. Being a dedicated advocate for clients human rights, James has a passion for defending his clients in the Australian Courts.
03 8602 1400 - jamesd@jdalaw.com.au
Domenic Care
Domenic Care
Partner - Melbourne
Domenic Care joined James Dowsley & Associates in 2013. He appears regularly in the Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Children’s Court of Victoria for matters including plea hearings, contested bail applications and appeal hearings.
03 8602 1400 - domenicc@jdalaw.com.au
Kieran Reynolds
Kieran Reynolds
Accredited Criminal Law Specialist – Criminal Defence Lawyer
Kieran joined the JDA family in 2015 having worked at several large Criminal Law firms since 2004. He regularly appears in both the Magistrates Court and County Court in a diverse range of matters. Kieran was admitted as an Accredited Criminal Law Speciality in 2009 and has maintained his Specialist Accreditation every year since. He is committed to ensuring that the rights of his clients are upheld in court.
03 8602 1400 - kieranr@jdalaw.com.au
Brett Barratt
Brett Barratt
Criminal Defence Lawyer - Melbourne
Brett joined the JDA family in 2013 as a law clerk. He has since then worked as a paralegal at our Dandenong office between September 2015 and March 2016. Commencing as a Lawyer at our Frankston office in March 2016. He appears regularly on behalf of clients facing a range of summary and indictable criminal matters in the Magistrates’ Court. Brett also instructs counsel and assists in the preparation and running of complex indictable criminal cases in the County Court.
03 8602 1400 - brettb@jdalaw.com.au
Jackson McLeod
Jackson McLeod
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
Having previously interned at the Victorian Law Reform Commission, JobWatch Victoria and Refugee Legal and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Jackson has dedicated his career to providing access to justice to those who need it most. He regularly appears in the Magistrates’ Court and has instructed in the County Court. Jackson applies his keen attention to detail and broad knowledge of the law to all of his matters, and capably and professionally handles pleas, bail applications and case conferences at the Magistrates’’ Court.
03 9781 4900 - jacksonm@jdalaw.com.au
Bridie O’Malley
Bridie O’Malley
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
Bridie joined the JDA family in 2014 commencing as a volunteer law student, assisting in the formation of our Intervention Order section. Graduating to become a paralegal at our Dandenong office in 2016 and joining our team of lawyers in 2017.
03 8788 5600 - bridieo@jdalaw.com.au
Sally Abell
Sally Abell
Practice Manager
03 8788 5600 - sallya@jdalaw.com.au
Lucy Mcphail
Lucy Mcphail
Office Manager
03 8788 5600 - lucym@jdalaw.com.au