Canberra Corporate Crime Lawyers

What is White Collar Crime?

White-collar crimes are non-violent offences that are motivated by financial gain. They are generally committed by professionals in the course of their employment. White-collar crimes can remain undetected for years. They typically involve financial data manipulation or financial record alteration for a financial advantage.

If you have been charged with white-collar crime, contact our team of Canberra corporate crime lawyers to assist with your case.

ASIC Offences and Investigations in Canberra

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) is an independent government regulator. Its role is to ensure businesses comply with financial legislation to protect investors, financiers and consumers. It can investigate and impose penalties on businesses that are operating in breach of the law.

ASIC’s work is governed by The Corporations Act 2001 and the Australian Securities and Investments Act, which outline various offences, including:

• Carrying on Financial Services Business Without a Licence
• Director Omitting Certain Entries
• Directors Cheating or Defrauding
• Directors Publishing False Statements
• Dishonest Use of Position
• Falsification of Books
• Manage Corporation Whilst Disqualified
• Insider Trading

ASIC investigations can be daunting, so call Armstrong Legal’s Canberra Corporate Crimes Lawyers who can assist you throughout the process.

Bankruptcy Offences

When you’re an undischarged bankrupt, you must comply with bankruptcy legislation or you could be charged with a bankruptcy offence under the Bankruptcy Act. Undischarged bankrupts are not permitted to:

• Make False Statements To The Trustee
• Obtain Credit Without Disclosing Bankruptcy
• Obtain Property By Fraud As A Bankrupt

If you are bankrupt or would like information about the consequences of declaring bankruptcy, contact our Canberra Corporate Crime lawyers on 1300 038 223.

Bribery Offences

It is an offence in the ACT to offer a reward to a person in public office to influence their behaviour. This offence is known as bribery. Even if the bribe offered is rejected, an offence may still have been committed.

If you are facing allegations of bribery, you can get legal advice from our Corporate Crime lawyers.

Environmental Offences

State, territory and federal governments can prosecute offences and impose penalties where environmental laws have been breached.

If you require legal advice about environmental offences give our Canberra corporate crime lawyers a call.

Insider Trading in Canberra

ASIC and the CDPP has the authority to prosecute insider trading offences. Insider trading happens when an individual uses confidential information for a personal advantage or shares that information to others who then use that information for their own advantage.

Insider trading is an offence because the insider has an unfair advantage that other investors do not. The insider can also artificially manipulate the value of an organisation’s stocks.

For advice on insider trading offences give our Corporate Crime team a call on 1300 038 223.

Identity Fraud

Identity fraud is using someone else’s identity fraudulently and without permission, often for a financial gain. It also occurs when a person creates or shares false identity information. It may involve ATM fraud and credit card fraud. Due to continual technological advances, the opportunities for identity fraud are increasing.

Identity fraud offences include:

• dealing with identity information
• possessing identification information
• possessing equipment capable of making identification information

If you have been charged with offences relating to identity fraud and would like legal advice, phone us on 1300 038 223.

Money Laundering

Money laundering involves the concealment of the true origins of money that is the proceeds of crime. Money laundering is a highly sophisticated organised crime that can attract serious penalties, including imprisonment.

The CDPP investigates money laundering offences under the Financial Transactions Reporting Act 1988 and the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006.

Tax Fraud

Offences broadly falling into the category of ‘tax fraud’ include the below.

Obtain a Financial Advantage by Deception

You’ll be convicted of this offence if it can be proven that you:

• obtained a financial advantage from another person, including a Commonwealth Entity (such as the Tax Office);
• have obtained that advantage by “deception”.

Conspiracy to Defraud

A person will be found guilty of conspiracy to defraud if they:

• conspire with another person;
• with the intention of obtaining a gain from or causing a loss to a third person, which can be a Commonwealth entity under Section 135.4 (1b) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cwth).

If you commit tax fraud other offences may be committed in the process.

The above offences attract a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. If convicted it is highly likely you will get a criminal record which may affect your future employment and travel options.

What types of Corporate Crime can our Canberra Team assist with?

Our Canberra Corporate Crime Lawyers are experienced in helping individuals and businesses with a raft of crimes that fall into these categories.

• ASIC investigations
• ASIC offences
• Bankruptcy offences
• Bribery
• Coronial inquests – workplace related
• Environmental offences
• Forgery
• Fraud – After February 2010
• Fraud – Before February 2010
• Identity fraud
• Insider trading
• Money laundering
• Tax fraud

How can our Canberra White Collar Crime and Corporate Crime Experts Help?

Our Canberra Corporate Crime team will advise you on your legal matter and if you proceed with representation, they’ll develop a strategy to help reduce the likelihood that you will be charged, convicted or imprisoned for a corporate crime offence

If you’ve been the victim of a corporate crime or white-collar criminal offence our team will support you in your quest for justice. They’ll offer a sympathetic ear and gather all the information about your situation and then advise you on the best way forward.

If you are a victim or an accused in a corporate crime matter, please call Armstrong Legal’s Canberra Corporate Crime lawyers on 1300 038 223 or email us.