Fraud Laws in Canada

Section 380 of the Code states that anyone who uses "deceit, falsehood or other fraudulent means" to defraud the public or a person of money or property can be charged with fraud. There are numerous types of fraud charges listed in the Criminal Code, with the common ones and their penalties detailed below.

Fraud Over $5,000

Section 380 of the Code states that if you are found guilty of fraud over $5,000 it will be treated as an indictable offenceIndictable offences are more-serious criminal offences with a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. If the court determines you intended to influence the market price of stocks, shares or anything that is offered for sale to the public, that is treated as an indictable offence with a maximum sentence of 14 years. 

Fraud Under $5,000

If the alleged fraud is valued at less than $5,000, the Crown has the option of treating it as a summary convictionUsed for lesser offences with a less severe penalty imposed.

In determining a sentence for fraud, the court will consider these aggravating circumstances:

• the magnitude, complexity, duration or degree of planning that was involved;
• the number of victims and if the fraud significantly affected their health and finances;
• if you took advantage of the "high regard" you were held in by others in the community;
• If you concealed or destroyed records related to the fraud.

Using the Mail to Defraud

Section 381 of the Code makes it illegal for you to use the mail to deliver letters aimed at deceiving or defrauding the public or to obtain money under false pretences. If found guilty of this charge as an indictable offence, you face a maximum of two years imprisonment, with lesser sentences given for charges treated as summary convictions.

Fraudulent Manipulation of Stock Exchange Transactions

Section 382 of the Code makes it illegal for you to mislead the public about stocks and securities being publicly traded. If you are found guilty of an indictable offence the maximum penalty is 10 years in prison, with lesser sentences given for charges treated as summary convictions.

Prohibited Insider Trading

Section 382 of the Code makes it an offence for you to buy or sell a security using inside information (insider tradingThe buying or selling of a stock by someone who has inside knowledge). This law applies to shareholders, those involved in a company takeover or merger, those who work at the firm or anyone who obtained information from someone in those positions. If the Crown proceeds as an indictable offence you face a maximum of 10 years in prison, with lesser sentences given to those with a charge treated as a summary conviction.

Falsification of Books and Documents

Section 397 of the Code makes it an offence for you to destroy, alter or falsify any documentation related to a security or document. If you are found guilty of an indictable offence, the maximum penalty is five years in prison, with lesser sentences given for charges treated as summary convictions.

Identity Theft/Trafficking in Identity Information

Section 402 of the Code makes it an offence to obtain or possess another person's identification with the intention of using that to commit an indictable offence such as fraud. Identify information includes: a fingerprint, voice print, retina image, iris image, DNA profile, name, address, date of birth, written signature, electronic signature, digital signature, user name, credit card number, debit card number, financial institution account number, passport number, Social Insurance Number, health insurance number, driver's licence number or password.

A related charge is trafficking in Identity Information. You can be convicted of that if you are guilty of selling another person's information to allow others to commit an indictable offence such as fraud.

Both charges can be treated as indictable offences with a maximum sentence of five years in prison, with less severe sentences given if the charge is treated as a summary conviction.

Identity Fraud

Section 403 of the Code makes it an offence for you to impersonate someone else and use that person's identity information to:

• gain some advantage for your or someone else;
• obtain any property or an interest in any property;
• cause disadvantage to the person being personated or another person; or
• to avoid arrest or prosecution or to obstruct the course of justice.

If you are found guilty of an indictable offence the maximum penalty is 10 years in prison, with lesser sentences given for charges treated as summary convictions.

November 17, 2022
Update: Bill C-5: Mandatory Minimum Penalties Repealed.