Civil vs criminal case
Updated 2026-09-29
A civil case is brought by the person who suffered a loss, called the plaintiff, against the person responsible, seeking a remedy such as damages. It aims to compensate the victim.
A criminal case is brought by the state, through the police and Deputy Public Prosecutor, against the accused. It aims to punish an offence such as cheating, and can lead to a fine or imprisonment, not compensation to the victim directly.
The two can run at the same time over the same scam. A police report starts the criminal process, while a civil claim is a separate step a victim, or their lawyer, must take to seek to recover the money.
When it matters
A criminal conviction does not automatically return money to a victim. Recovering funds usually still requires a civil claim, court order, or a cooperative bank process.
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