Charged With
Fraud in Toronto?
Complex Cases Require a Careful Defence.
Fraud charges are often built on complex financial records, documents, and communications. Legal Solutions Law Firm carefully reviews the evidence to challenge intent, dishonesty, and the alleged loss.
Toronto Fraud Defence
Toronto Fraud Charges: The Crown Must Prove Deliberate Dishonesty
Fraud under Criminal Code s.380 requires the Crown to prove a dishonest act — deceit, falsehood, or other fraudulent means — that causes deprivation to another person or puts their financial interests at risk. Many fraud allegations arise from business disputes, misunderstandings, or genuine financial hardship rather than deliberate criminality.
These cases are often built on complex paper trails: contracts, emails, bank records, and invoices. A careful, methodical review of this documentary evidence frequently reveals a very different story than the one presented by the complainant.
Legal Solutions Law Firm carefully investigates the full financial and documentary record in every fraud allegation. Call or text 416-274-2222 for a free, confidential consultation.
Fraud requires deliberate dishonesty. Business mistakes, financial hardship, and good-faith disputes are not criminal fraud.
We carefully review bank records, invoices, and contracts to challenge the Crown's characterization of events.
We scrutinize the alleged financial loss, since the $5,000 threshold significantly affects potential penalties.
Know your total cost upfront. No hourly billing, with flexible payment options available.
Real-World Scenarios
Common Fraud Scenarios We Handle
Fraud allegations arise from a wide range of financial and business circumstances. Here are common scenarios we see across Toronto.
Failed Business Partnership
A business deal or partnership that ended badly, with one side characterizing the dispute as fraud.
Personal Loan Dispute
A disagreement over a personal loan or informal financial arrangement that escalates into a fraud allegation.
Credit Card or Financial Fraud
An allegation involving disputed charges, unauthorized transactions, or misrepresented financial information.
Real Estate or Mortgage Fraud
An allegation connected to a property transaction, mortgage application, or related documentation.
Online or Internet Fraud
A dispute arising from an online sale, service, or transaction that is later characterized as fraudulent.
What We Handle
Fraud Charges We Defend
We handle fraud allegations of every complexity, from personal disputes to business and financial matters.
Our Approach
How We Defend Your Case
Call us any time — 24/7. We review the allegation and the underlying documents at no cost.
If you are held in custody, we act immediately to secure your release on appropriate conditions.
We carefully analyze the paper trail — contracts, emails, bank records — to challenge the Crown's narrative.
We obtain all Crown evidence, including financial records and witness statements, to identify weaknesses in the case.
We negotiate directly with the Crown, working toward a withdrawal, restitution-based resolution, or reduced charge.
If necessary, we take the matter to trial and thoroughly test the Crown's evidence on intent and loss.
Plain Language Legal Guide
Fraud Charges — What You Need to Know
Say Nothing to Investigators
Fraud investigations often involve extensive documentation, and investigators may ask you to explain transactions informally.
Do not provide statements or documents without a lawyer reviewing them first — even innocent explanations can be misconstrued.
Dishonesty Requires Deliberate Intent
Fraud requires the Crown to prove deliberate deceit or dishonest conduct — a genuine business failure, financial mistake, or misunderstanding does not meet this standard.
We carefully examine whether the evidence actually establishes deliberate dishonesty.
Documents Tell Their Own Story
Contracts, emails, and financial records often provide crucial context that contradicts the complainant's narrative.
We methodically review this documentary trail to identify inconsistencies and alternative explanations.
The $5,000 Threshold
Fraud over $5,000 carries a significantly higher maximum penalty than fraud under $5,000. We scrutinize how the alleged loss was calculated.
Disputed damages, offsetting amounts, and partial repayments can all affect this calculation.
Negotiated Resolutions
Many fraud cases resolve through negotiation with the Crown, particularly where restitution is arranged or the evidence of intent is genuinely disputed.
We advocate for resolutions that reflect the true nature of the underlying dispute.
Consequences of a Conviction
A fraud conviction can severely affect employment — particularly in finance, and any position of trust — as well as professional licensing and travel.
Given these stakes, a thorough documentary review is essential in every case.
Know the Process
Where Your Case Is Heard — Toronto Courts
Fraud charges are hybrid or indictable depending on the amount involved. Toronto cases typically begin at the Ontario Court of Justice, with fraud over $5,000 often proceeding to the Superior Court of Justice.
Ontario Court of Justice — 10 Armoury Street
Toronto's criminal matters — including first appearances, bail hearings, and trials for summary and many indictable offences — are heard at 10 Armoury Street. This purpose-built courthouse opened in 2023, consolidating the criminal courts formerly split across Old City Hall and College Park into one 17-storey building, the largest courthouse in Ontario.
Superior Court of Justice — 361 University Avenue
More serious indictable matters and jury trials are heard at the Superior Court of Justice at 361 University Avenue, which houses both the Criminal and Family branches. This is a separate courthouse from 330 and 393 University Avenue, which handle Superior Court civil matters.
Know What's at Stake
Potential Penalties
Fraud can be prosecuted summarily or by indictment depending largely on the value involved, with a key threshold at $5,000. The information below is general — your actual exposure depends on the specific facts of your case.
Can be prosecuted summarily or by indictment; summary conviction carries a maximum of up to 2 years less a day.
An indictable offence carrying a maximum penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment.
Courts can order restitution to the complainant in addition to, or as part of, a negotiated resolution.
A fraud conviction can be especially damaging in finance, banking, real estate, or any role involving trust or fiduciary responsibility.
Understanding Your Options
Possible Case Outcomes — Best to Worst
Every criminal case can result in a range of outcomes. Our goal is always to achieve the best possible result — and in the vast majority of cases, that means no jail and no permanent criminal record.
Charged With Fraud? The Documents Tell the Real Story.
Fraud cases are decided in the details — contracts, records, and communications. Legal Solutions Law Firm is available 24/7 — your consultation is always free.
Why Legal Solutions
Why Choose Our Toronto Fraud Defence Lawyers
Fraud cases reward patience and attention to detail. Ryan Manilla has defended fraud charges at the Ontario Bar for over 15 years, methodically reviewing financial records and communications to build strong defences.
We never take the Crown's characterization of a business or financial dispute at face value.
Client Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
I had a very positive experience with Legal Solutions Law Firm. Ryan represented me in a family court matter and provided excellent guidance and support throughout the entire process. He was professional, knowledgeable, and always took the time to answer my questions and explain everything clearly. Family court matters can be stressful, but Ryan helped make the process much easier and gave me confidence every step of the way. I truly appreciated his dedication, responsiveness, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. I highly recommend Legal Solutions Law Firm and Ryan to anyone looking for a compassionate and experienced family lawyer.
We tried to defend ourselves in civil court, but ultimately decided to hire Ryan — and it was the wisest decision we have made in the last two years of hell with our condo managers. Ryan and his team have been exceptional: swift, sharp, on the ball, and always asking the right questions while making the right arguments to move our case forward to the Superior Court.
Ryan did an outstanding job on my case. He was clear, professional, and always kept me informed. Thanks to his hard work, my charges were dropped. I’m very grateful and highly recommend him.
I wish I could add five more stars to show how happy we are with the legal services of Ryan J. Manilla and his team. They took charge of our legal matters, worked tirelessly on short notice, and delivered outstanding legal documents on time. Their teamwork, professionalism, patience, and understanding of our situation gave us tremendous peace of mind. Most importantly, we sleep better at night knowing that we are in good hands, with a legal team that has the expertise and compassion to handle sensitive matters with care.
I had a great experience working with Ryan at Legal Solutions. He is professional, responsive, and very knowledgeable. Any time I had questions, he got back to me quickly and provided practical advice. I wouldn’t hesitate to use him again.
I was going through anxiety not knowing what to expect with my case. Ryan explained everything simply and stood up for me at my hearing. I’m really thankful for his help!
I had such a stressful time trying to find legal help. I felt lost and hopeless when I got a notice to appear at the LTB. When I found Ryan, he stepped up and defended me. He’s knowledgeable about both the LTB and criminal law, and most importantly he’s tough! Exactly what I was looking for. I’m so glad I found him.
Ryan is a tough lawyer who defended us during a very difficult time. He helped me with a Landlord and Tenant Board issue. People told me to get a paralegal, but the ones I contacted either wouldn’t help or couldn’t communicate well in English. When I found Ryan, he explained the situation clearly and told me what to do. He showed up to the hearing tough and ready to go. I’m so glad I found him!
One of the best. Well poised, smart articulate. Know his stuff and one of the best lawyer out there to work with.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Defending Clients Across Toronto and the GTA
Our Reach
Serving Every Toronto Neighbourhood
From fraud charges arising downtown to cases across the inner suburbs, Legal Solutions Law Firm defends clients throughout Toronto.
From My Experience: Most Fraud Allegations Start as Business or Personal Disputes
The fraud cases I've handled over the years rarely look like the dramatic schemes people imagine. Far more often, they start as a business deal gone wrong, a personal loan dispute, or a misunderstanding about a financial arrangement that one side later decided to characterize as criminal.
Why the Paper Trail Is Everything
Fraud cases live and die in documents — contracts, emails, invoices, bank statements. I spend significant time on every file methodically going through this record because it almost always tells a more complete story than the initial complaint. Communications showing good faith negotiation, disclosed risks, or mutual understanding can undercut an allegation of deliberate dishonesty.
The other thing worth understanding is that fraud requires genuine intent to deceive — a bad business outcome or an inability to pay is not the same as criminal fraud, even though it can feel that way to the person who lost money. If you've been charged with fraud, bring me every document related to the matter and let's build the full picture: 416-274-2222.
Free Resources
Tools & Guides
Wondering whether restitution could be ordered, or how plea negotiations with the Crown work? These free tools and guides can help:
Speak With a Fraud Defence Lawyer Today
Facing a fraud charge? Contact Legal Solutions Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.