THE CHANGING NATURE OF FRAUD IN

• Main Author: Derek E. Janhevich
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Northwest Territories; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.509.1929; http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection-R/Statcan/85-002-XIE/0049885-002-XIE.pdf

n In 1996, there were approximately 101,000 frauds reported by the police, accounting for 7 % of all property crimes. The total number of frauds represented a rate of 337 per 100,000 population, the lowest rate in twenty years. This downward trend is largely attributed to significant decreases in reporting of cheque frauds. n Credit card and “other ” frauds increased substantially between 1977 and 1986. Despite yearly fluctuations, rates have increased only slightly since 1987. However, credit card fraud rates in particular have increased significantly in the last two years. n Saskatchewan reported the highest provincial/territorial fraud rate for the fifth consecutive year in 1996 (540 per 100,000 population). Quebec, Newfoundland, Ontario and the Northwest Territories recorded rates below the national average of 337 per 100,000 population. n Compared to most property crimes, frauds are more likely to be solved by the police. In 1996, nearly two in three (63%) fraud offences were solved by the police, while break and enters (16%), motor vehicle theft (12%), theft over $5,000 (18%), and theft $5,000 and under (20%) all demonstrated clearance rates well below this proportion. n Persons accused of fraud offences are generally older than those accused of other property crimes. The median age for those accused of fraud was 29 years, compared to a median age of 21 for other property offenders. n Probation was the most common sentence for fraud offences. The median length of a probation sentence was 450 days; the median length for a prison term was 60 days; and the median fine amount was $200. n In 53 % of cases known to police, fraud incidents were aimed against a commercial enterprise and in a further 28%, the target was a bank or financial institution.