Conspiracy to defraud is a serious criminal offence in Australia. It involves an agreement between two or more people to dishonestly cause a loss or obtain a financial advantage—even if the fraud is never completed.

It is often associated with corporate misconduct, investment scams, fake invoicing, insurance rackets, and tax evasion schemes. Conspiracy to defraud targets the agreement to deceive, not just the act itself, and carries severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.

This guide outlines what the offence means under Australian law, how charges are laid, the court process, common legal defences, and how each state and territory addresses conspiracy offences.

What Is Conspiracy to Defraud?

Conspiracy to defraud occurs when two or more people:

• Agree to act dishonestly or deceptively

• With the intention of causing economic harm or gaining a benefit

• Even if no money is exchanged or harm is done

Common examples include:

• Planning to falsify invoices for tax rebates

• Coordinating false insurance claims

• Arranging to trick investors into a fake business venture

• Conspiring to hide company debts or manipulate financial reports

• Participating in a fraudulent Centrelink or ATO scheme

The prosecution must prove:

1. There was a common agreement between two or more people

2. The purpose was to deceive or defraud

3. The conduct was dishonest by community standards

How Are Charges for Conspiracy to Defraud Laid?

Conspiracy charges usually arise from:

• Undercover operations

• Recorded communications (emails, phone taps, messages)

• Joint financial activity or forged documents

• Witness testimony or whistleblower reports

• Forensic accounting or data analysis

Charges are often laid after an investigation by:

• State Police fraud squads

• ASIC or ACCC (for corporate or consumer-related conspiracies)

• AFP or CDPP (for Commonwealth offences)

Court Process for Conspiracy Offences

Conspiracy to defraud is an indictable offence prosecuted in:

• District/County Court or Supreme Court

• Occasionally in Magistrates’ Court for lower-level conspiracies

The process includes:

1. First appearance – Enter a plea

2. Disclosure of the evidence – Prosecution must outline how the agreement was formed

3. Committal hearing or trial

4. Sentencing – Based on role in the conspiracy, value involved, and breach of trust

Conviction does not require the fraudulent act to be completed—the agreement and dishonest intention are enough.

Available Legal Defences

Common defences include:

• No agreement – No real plan or understanding existed

• Lack of intent to defraud – Actions were not dishonest or deceptive

• Withdrawal from conspiracy – You left the agreement before any action was taken

• Duress – You were coerced into participating

• No financial benefit or loss – May affect sentencing, though not a full defence

• Mistaken identity – You were wrongly linked to the conspiracy

An experienced criminal lawyer can assess whether your conduct truly meets the threshold for conspiracy and explore early plea negotiation or charge withdrawal.