Definition of a general offence of fraud, with a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment, as consisting of:
Fraud by false representation
Fraud by failing to disclose information
Fraud by abuse of position
Revised offence of obtaining services dishonestly (to fill a legal loophole, since a machine cannot be 'deceived') with a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
Replacement of the existing 'going equipped' offence so far as it relates to fraud, to criminalise the act of possessing or making material for use in frauds.
The Bill will also extend the scope of the existing offence of fraudulent trading.
All the deception offences under the Theft Acts 1968-1996 to be abolished.
