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Criminal Receipt of Goods and Services Fraudulently Obtained in Georgia

While it’s clearly illegal to fraudulently purchase goods and services with forged and fake financial transaction cards, currency and other financial devices, it is also illegal in Georgia to receive money, goods, services, or anything of value when you know that these goods were fraudulently obtained.

What’s the law on criminal receipt?

O.C.G.A. section 16-9-35 reads A person commits the offense of criminally receiving goods and services fraudulently obtained when he receives money, goods, services, or anything else of value obtained in violation of subsection (a) of Code Section 16-9-33 with the knowledge or belief that the same were obtained in violation of subsection (a) of Code Section 16-9-33.

If you are found guilty of the criminal receipt of goods and services fraudulently obtained in Georgia you are guilty of a felony and can potentially serve prison time.

As with all fraud and forgery crimes we have discussed so far, knowledge and intent are essential elements of committing this crime. The State must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you had the required intent to commit the crime, which in this case would be the knowledge that the goods or services were fraudulently obtained before receiving them, or once aware they were fraudulently obtained to return the goods or alert authorities.

Call us today!

If you believe you may be under investigation or have already been charged with criminal receipt of goods and services, please call our office immediately at 404-581-0999 to schedule a free consultation.

Creating Fake Checks

Beyond the crimes of Deposit Account Fraud and Forgery in Georgia, it is also unlawful to create fake checks or other negotiable instruments that appear as they are the real checks of any financial institution.

What’s the Law on Fake Checks?

The statute, O.C.G.A. 16-9-21 reads:

It shall be unlawful for any person to print or cause to be printed checks, drafts, orders, or debit card sales drafts, drawn upon any financial institution or to execute or negotiate any check, draft, order, or debit card sales draft knowing that the account number, routing number, or other information printed on such check, draft, order, or debit card sales draft is in error, fictitious, or assigned to another account holder or financial institution.

Any person who is found to have broken the law as it relates to the above statute would be guilty of a felony with a prison sentence ranging from one to five years and a fine of up to $5,000.

What Should I Do?

If you are being investigated for creating fake or fraudulent checks in Georgia, call our office today for a free consultation. Our staff is experienced in defending these white-collar cases and can discuss potential defenses with you at your free consultation. Call us today at 404-581-0999.

by Ryan Walsh