Fraud Under & Over 5000
Fraud Under & Over 5000 Charges Demand Immediate and Skilled Defence
Fraud allegations of $5,000 or less carry serious consequences in Ontario. These charges carry serious consequences, from potential jail time to long-term impacts on your career, immigration status, and reputation. With over 10 years of experience defending fraud and financial crime allegations in Brampton, I know exactly how these cases unfold and what it takes to challenge the Crown's evidence. If you're facing a fraud charge or believe you're under investigation, contact me immediately for a confidential consultation.
Call me now for immediate legal advice at (437) 998-1429. Your consultation is confidential, and early defence can make all the difference.
What Fraud Under & Over $5000 Means in Ontario
Fraud under and over $5000 is a financial crime offence under section 380 of the Criminal Code of Canada. These offences cover a wide range of conduct involving deceit, dishonesty, or falsehood that causes another person or business to suffer a loss or face a risk of loss. As a Fraud Under & Over 5000 Lawyer in Brampton, I routinely see cases that range from simple misunderstandings to highly complex financial investigations.
Fraud Under $5000 vs. Fraud Over $5000
Although both offences share the same legal foundation, the difference in value has a major impact on how the case is prosecuted and what penalties apply.
- Fraud under $5000 is often treated as a hybrid offence. The Crown can elect to proceed summarily or by indictment.
- Fraud over $5000 is always treated as a more serious offence, prosecuted indictably, and carries significantly higher sentencing exposure, including the potential for lengthy jail terms.
Fraud Over $5,000 is treated as a serious offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. In Brampton and across Ontario, these charges can involve complex financial evidence and significant legal consequences. Individuals facing fraud allegations are often advised to obtain legal advice early in the process to understand their rights and available defence options.
Penalties & Consequences if Convicted
Fraud convictions can carry life-altering consequences. Courts in Brampton and across Ontario take financial crime seriously, especially where trust, planning, or large amounts of money are involved.
- Potential jail time (summary or indictable)
- Fines, probation, and restitution orders
- Criminal record affecting travel, employment, and licensing.
- Long-term reputational harm
- Always an indictable offence
- Significantly higher jail exposure
- Court orders for restitution, forfeiture, and compensation
- Increased penalties where "breach of trust" is alleged
- Difficulty obtaining employment in finance, business, security, or government
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- Problems securing loans, credit, or professional licences
- Ongoing stigma associated with financial dishonesty
Even if the amount is low or the incident is isolated, a fraud conviction can follow you for life. That's why building a strong defence from the outset is crucial.
Common Situations That Lead to Fraud Under & Over $5000 Charges
Many people charged with fraud never expected to be involved in a criminal investigation. These cases often arise from everyday financial interactions, workplace responsibilities, or personal disputes. In my Brampton practice, I regularly defend clients accused of fraud arising from situations such as:
- Disputes involving bank transactions, withdrawals, or cheque handling
- Credit card fraud allegations involving unauthorized purchases
- Online marketplace disputes involving payments or goods not delivered.
- False pretence allegations are tied to loans, deposits, or financial promises.
- Issues involving insurance claims or benefit applications
- Workplace-related fraud, including employee trust accounts or reimbursement disputes
- Mortgage or real estate documentation issues
- Business partnership disagreements involving accounting or access to funds
These scenarios often involve misunderstandings, poor recordkeeping, or assumptions made by investigators long before the whole story is known. That's why a detailed review of the financial disclosure is critical early in the case.
How Navdeep Dhindsa Defends Fraud Under & Over $5000 Charges?
Fraud cases turn on details. Small gaps in financial records, inconsistencies in witness statements, and errors in the investigative process can make the difference between a conviction and a withdrawal. With over a decade of defending fraud allegations in Brampton, I take a precise, evidence-driven approach to every case.
- Challenging whether there was intent to defraud
- Demonstrating the absence of dishonest conduct
- Exposing flaws in financial documentation and accounting
- Highlighting identity issues in online or electronic transactions
- Identifying Charter breaches, including unlawful searches or improper police questioning
- Negotiating restitution-based resolutions where appropriate
- Showing alternative explanations for financial discrepancies
Fraud cases rely heavily on paperwork, digital records, and investigators' assumptions. I examine every piece of evidence—bank statements, communication records, accounting reports, and surveillance—to build a strategic defence tailored to your situation.
Speak with a Fraud Under & Over $5000 Lawyer in Brampton.
A fraud allegation can change the course of your life, but you don't have to face it alone. I defend these cases with precision, strategy, and a deep understanding of how financial crime investigations unfold in Brampton. The sooner I get involved, the more I can do to protect you.
Contact me today for a confidential consultation.
Call: (437) 998-1429
What You Should Do If You're Charged or Under Investigation?
How you respond in the early stages can significantly influence the outcome of your case. Fraud allegations involve high-stakes decisions, and even a small mistake can harm your defence.
- Do not speak to the police without legal counsel present.
- Do not provide documents or account access until advised.
- Gather any emails, contracts, receipts, or financial records related to the issue.
- Identify anyone who can confirm your version of events.
- Contact me immediately so I can start protecting your rights.
- Communicate with investigators on your behalf.
- Prevent improper interviews or overreach
- Secure and review disclosure as soon as it becomes available.
- Begin assessing weaknesses in the Crown's financial theory.
- Advise you on whether restitution, withdrawal negotiations, or trial strategies are appropriate.
Fraud cases move quickly once charges are laid. Early guidance can prevent avoidable damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fraud over $5000 is an indictable offence, and the Crown often seeks jail, especially if the amount is high, there's a breach of trust, or the conduct took place over time. That said, every case is different, and strong defence work can significantly reduce your exposure.
Restitution can support negotiations, but it does not guarantee a withdrawal. The Crown still considers the nature of the allegation, the evidence, and whether the public interest supports dropping the charge. I assess all of this before advising you on strategy.
Fraud cases often move slowly because disclosure is complex, and police rely heavily on financial records. Some cases resolve in months; others take a year or more, depending on the volume of documents and the court's schedule.
No. Fraud investigations often rely on statements to build the prosecution's theory. Speaking without legal guidance can harm your defence, even if you believe you've done nothing wrong. I communicate with investigators on your behalf.
This is common. Fraud cases frequently turn on paperwork, transaction logs, emails, and digital audits. My role is to analyze every detail, identify inconsistencies, and determine whether the Crown's narrative can be challenged.