Scheme to Defraud in the Second Degree

New York Penal Law § 190.60

Scheme to Defraud in the Second Degree is a Class A Misdemeanor.  The possible sentence is up to one year in jail.

The crime of Scheme to Defraud in the Second Degree requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant engaged in a systematic, ongoing course of conduct with an intent to defraud more than one person or to obtain money or property from more than one person by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises.  The prosecution must prove that the defendant actually obtained money or property from one or more of those persons.  The identity of at least one of the victims must be proved, but it is not necessary to identify all the victims.

"Intent" means a conscious objective or purpose.  Thus, a person acts with an intent to defraud or an intent to obtain money or property by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, when that person's conscious objective or purpose is to do so.

Full Text of New York Penal Law § 190.60

"1.  A person is guilty of a scheme to defraud in the second degree when he engages in a scheme  constituting a systematic ongoing course of conduct with  intent to defraud more than one person or to obtain property from more than one  person by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises, and so obtains property from one or more of such  persons."

"2.  In any prosecution under this section, it shall be necessary to prove the identity of at least one person from whom the defendant so obtained property, but it shall not be necessary to prove the identity of any other intended victim."

"Scheme to defraud in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor."

John Howley, Esq.
The HOwley Law Firm P.C.
​350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor
New York, New York 10118
(212) 601-2728