Global Law Experts
Discover independent Fraud legal experts recognized by Global Law Experts. Connect with top lawyers worldwide.
Fraud law addresses the intentional use of deception to gain an unfair advantage or cause financial loss to another party. This practice is divided between Civil Fraud, focused on asset recovery and compensation, and Criminal Fraud, involving prosecution for violations such as embezzlement, securities fraud, or money laundering. Attorneys provide the essential framework for navigating the “Fraud Triangle”—Incentive, Opportunity, and Rationalization—while employing aggressive legal tools like Mareva Injunctions (asset freezing orders) and Anton Piller Orders (search and seizure) to preserve evidence.
Global Law Experts connects you with premier fraud specialists who possess the investigative and forensic depth required to untangle complex financial webs. These lawyers are established experts within their own fields, offering the tactical foresight needed to handle Ponzi schemes, “whistleblower” claims under the False Claims Act, and the recovery of misappropriated digital assets. Whether you are a victimized corporation seeking to trace funds across “offshore” jurisdictions or an entity conducting an internal investigation to prevent regulatory fallout, they provide the strategic advocacy needed to restore integrity in any legal forum.
Every GLE member is independently vetted by practice area and jurisdiction.
The main difference is the burden of proof and the punishment. Criminal fraud is prosecuted by the government to punish the wrongdoer, often resulting in prison time. They must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is a very high bar. Civil fraud is a lawsuit brought by a victim to recover lost money. In these cases, you only need to prove liability on the “balance of probabilities” (UK) or by a “preponderance of the evidence” (US). This makes it easier to win a civil case than a criminal one.
To win, you generally must prove five core elements. First, the defendant made a false statement of material fact. Second, they knew it was false (or were reckless regarding the truth). Third, they intended to deceive you. Fourth, you reasonably relied on that statement when making a decision. Fifth, you suffered actual financial damage as a result. If you cannot prove you lost money specifically because of their lie, the case will likely fail.
Yes, but speed is critical. A lawyer can apply for emergency court orders, such as a “freezing order” in the UK or a “temporary restraining order” in the US, to lock the scammer’s bank accounts before the money is moved offshore. They also use forensic tracing to follow the digital trail of funds. While total recovery is difficult, acting within the first 24 to 48 hours significantly increases your chances of retrieving at least a portion of the stolen assets.
Defense starts with controlling the flow of information. A lawyer conducts an internal investigation to find out what happened before the regulators do. They interview employees and preserve documents to assess the company’s exposure. If the evidence is damaging, they might negotiate a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with authorities like the DOJ or SFO. This allows the company to pay a fine and improve compliance instead of facing a criminal conviction that could destroy the business.
A lawyer acts as the investigator while protecting “attorney-client privilege.” This is vital because it keeps the investigation findings confidential. If you use a non-lawyer consultant, their report could be seized by prosecutors and used against you in court. A lawyer interviews staff, reviews emails, and prepares a report for the board. They ensure the investigation is thorough enough to satisfy regulators but controlled enough to prevent unnecessary leaks.
Yes, this is a common commercial claim. If a seller lied about the profitability of a company to get you to buy it, you can sue for fraudulent misrepresentation. The goal is “rescission,” which unwinds the contract as if it never happened. You get your money back, and they get the business back. You can also claim damages for any additional losses you suffered. This forces parties to be honest during negotiations.
These laws shield you from retaliation. In the US, the SEC Whistleblower Program offers massive financial incentives; in 2024 alone, the SEC awarded over $255 million to individuals who reported wrongdoing. In the UK, the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) protects you from being fired for reporting a crime, though it does not offer the same cash bounties. A lawyer ensures you follow the exact reporting protocols so you qualify for these protections and potential rewards.
Usually, a corporation protects its owners from personal liability. However, if you use the company as a “sham” to commit fraud, a court can “pierce the corporate veil.” This means the judge ignores the company’s legal separation and holds the directors or shareholders personally responsible for the debts. This allows victims to seize personal assets like homes or cars to satisfy a judgment, ensuring that fraudsters cannot hide behind a shell company.
The main difference is the burden of proof and the punishment. Criminal fraud is prosecuted by the government to punish the wrongdoer, often resulting in prison time. They must prove guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt," which is a very high bar. Civil fraud is a lawsuit brought by a victim to recover lost money. In these cases, you only need to prove liability on the "balance of probabilities" (UK) or by a "preponderance of the evidence" (US). This makes it easier to win a civil case than a criminal one.
To win, you generally must prove five core elements. First, the defendant made a false statement of material fact. Second, they knew it was false (or were reckless regarding the truth). Third, they intended to deceive you. Fourth, you reasonably relied on that statement when making a decision. Fifth, you suffered actual financial damage as a result. If you cannot prove you lost money specifically because of their lie, the case will likely fail.
Yes, but speed is critical. A lawyer can apply for emergency court orders, such as a "freezing order" in the UK or a "temporary restraining order" in the US, to lock the scammer's bank accounts before the money is moved offshore. They also use forensic tracing to follow the digital trail of funds. While total recovery is difficult, acting within the first 24 to 48 hours significantly increases your chances of retrieving at least a portion of the stolen assets.
Defense starts with controlling the flow of information. A lawyer conducts an internal investigation to find out what happened before the regulators do. They interview employees and preserve documents to assess the company's exposure. If the evidence is damaging, they might negotiate a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with authorities like the DOJ or SFO. This allows the company to pay a fine and improve compliance instead of facing a criminal conviction that could destroy the business.
A lawyer acts as the investigator while protecting "attorney-client privilege." This is vital because it keeps the investigation findings confidential. If you use a non-lawyer consultant, their report could be seized by prosecutors and used against you in court. A lawyer interviews staff, reviews emails, and prepares a report for the board. They ensure the investigation is thorough enough to satisfy regulators but controlled enough to prevent unnecessary leaks.
Yes, this is a common commercial claim. If a seller lied about the profitability of a company to get you to buy it, you can sue for fraudulent misrepresentation. The goal is "rescission," which unwinds the contract as if it never happened. You get your money back, and they get the business back. You can also claim damages for any additional losses you suffered. This forces parties to be honest during negotiations.
These laws shield you from retaliation. In the US, the SEC Whistleblower Program offers massive financial incentives; in 2024 alone, the SEC awarded over $255 million to individuals who reported wrongdoing. In the UK, the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) protects you from being fired for reporting a crime, though it does not offer the same cash bounties. A lawyer ensures you follow the exact reporting protocols so you qualify for these protections and potential rewards.
Usually, a corporation protects its owners from personal liability. However, if you use the company as a "sham" to commit fraud, a court can "pierce the corporate veil." This means the judge ignores the company's legal separation and holds the directors or shareholders personally responsible for the debts. This allows victims to seize personal assets like homes or cars to satisfy a judgment, ensuring that fraudsters cannot hide behind a shell company.
Global Law Experts is dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to clients around the world. With a vast network of highly skilled and experienced lawyers, we are committed to delivering innovative and tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of our clients in various jurisdictions.
Global Law Experts is dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to clients around the world. With a vast network of highly skilled and experienced lawyers, we are committed to delivering innovative and tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of our clients in various jurisdictions.
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