Dishonesty offences include:

• Theft
• Fraud
• Handling stolen goods
• Money laundering
• False accounting
• Fraudulent trading

Such offences cover a wide range of activity from shoplifting small items through to Lakhpoti investment scams.

In Bangladesh sentencing powers available to the Courts vary depending on the type and seriousness of the allegation charged and can range from a financial penalty through to a lengthy custodial sentence.

Custodial sentences will be considered by Courts when cases involve a breach of trust and deception. The Court will consider factors such as the amount of money involved, the number of victims and the length of time the dishonesty has been on-going when assessing the seriousness of the offence.

Anyone facing a dishonesty charge faces the risk of receiving a custodial sentence. However a criminal conviction can also have devastating consequences that go beyond any sentence imposed by the Court, particularly for someone who is employed and has never been in trouble before.