Forgery and forged instructions in a scam

What forgery means in a scam context

Forgery is making or altering a document, signature, or instruction to make it appear genuine when it is not. The intent behind it is to deceive. Under the Penal Code, forgery for the purpose of cheating carries a higher penalty than forgery alone.

In a scam, this often shows up as a faked signature on a transfer form, an altered invoice, or a fabricated instruction sent to a bank or employer. Whoever sends it is usually pretending to be someone with authority.

It is a distinct offence from the lies told to persuade you. Forgery focuses on a document or instruction being falsified, rather than a verbal promise.

How forgery differs from being lied to

A scammer who lies to you about an investment is committing cheating, not forgery, unless a fake document is also involved. Forgery specifically requires something written, signed, or instructed to have been faked or altered.

This distinction matters because it can open a different type of claim or charge. It can apply particularly against whoever created or used the forged item, even if they are not the same person who spoke to you.

Common examples: forged instructions and documents

A forged instruction often appears in business email compromise. An email or letter is altered or faked there to redirect a payment to a scammer’s account. A forged signature can appear on a loan document, a transfer authorisation, or a contract you never actually agreed to.

Banks and businesses that acted on a forged instruction may have their own duties around verifying it. This is worth understanding alongside a bank’s duty of care.

What evidence proves forgery

Comparing the document against a genuine version and checking email headers for signs of spoofing both help establish forgery. So does getting expert examination of a signature. The original file or document, not just a printed copy, is valuable if you still have access to it.

A police report allows investigators to examine the forged item directly, which is often needed before any expert comparison is possible.

What to do next

Preserve the forged document or instruction exactly as it was received, including any digital file, email, or attachment. Do not edit or resend it before it has been examined.

From there, whether a civil claim fits your situation is worth exploring alongside the criminal report, since the two can proceed together.