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.
