Fraud by False Representation

I was released on bail for alleged fraud by false representation in the UK.

I would like some advice because I have never been in trouble before and I am in shock as to what's happening.

I had purchased an item from the store over a month ago but lost receipt.
I created an online despatch note with a made up order number saying that I had bought that item and took it to store for refund.

I never thought this would consitite a serious crime, sorry if I'm being dumb, I legally owned the item and had paid for it so it's not theft. I figured I'd try to return without receipt because it was in immacualte brand new with tags condition I thought I'd be granted refund and if no I wouldn't care less just try n then go. When sales assistant asked for receipt I was in two minds whether to hand this to him and I did. They said order no doesn't exist and called the cops who confiscated my items n broke into the house to take stuff too and released me on bail while continuing with their investigations

At the same bag that day I had two other items from acompletely different store that I had returned showing a similar dispatch note and successufully obtained refund.

The case is complicated and I know it sounds very bad however I stressed to the police that I legally owned and paid for items and I stores even process refunds on goodwill provided items are brand new with tags for the same amount of what they're worth. So you're not deceiving the store if that's their brand of item if they only refund u for the item value they take back....

I never thought I would be in trouble until this happened.

I sound very confused in this posting and my explanations are very vague but would like to know from as much as you can understand about my situation and from your experince and point of view how much in trouble could I be?

I have to go see police in a month after they complete their investigation.
I think they were particularly concerned as if I had purchased the items for real and they're going to see I have. That makes things easier I guess but still it's a complicated case.

I have never been charged with anything before.

Please help

Hello,

This is a US forum. We do not know your laws in the UK.

Hi,

I realised that however this seems like quite a comprehensive forum after some research and I am only asking for advice in general regarding this case.
Anything would help, I am quite lost and hopeless.
Any similar experiences or people with more expertise in this area would help a lot.
Thanks

You tried to obtain a refund from the store that did not sell you the merchandise. They were able to find this out as there was not a record of selling the merchandise on the date you provided them in order to process the refund. They are not obliged to refund you money for an item they did not sell you. You could have returned it to the store you purchased it from.

"So you're not deceiving the store if that's their brand of item if they only refund u for the item value they take back...." - Yes, it is deception. Here in the US it's called refund fraud, the same as it is in the UK. You should know that retailers are changing their attitudes about theft in the UK. They are tired of seeing inaction by the police and the courts.

What should I expect in the worst case

I have never been in trouble ever before

I know it might sound naive but I never thought this would be particularily illegal as I thought in the worst case the store would turn me away by refusing refund...I guess I didn't think much about it....

When I surrender to the police station at the end of my bail period is there any chance they're going to be merciful or anything, what should I expect?

I have told noone about this, no family or friends in the hope I'd be alright and I know this will
kill my parents as I've always been an excellent student and hard worker. I am mostly worried
about them than myself.

All that I know and keep telling myself is that in this one month I have available, I will try to forsee any possible consequences of this.
If I come to the conclusion that I will not escape without a criminal record, there's no way I'm going back there so I'm going to take my own life eventhough it just started at 23......:-(

Taking your life over a dumb mistake? Why? You just learn from your experience and move on.

I'm sure you have people that love you, right? You're gonna hurt them over a mistake?

Yes, take my life so they never learn the truth of what happened....

They love me but what is there to live for if I am charged for this and my name is tainted forever? All my 23 yrs of hard work gone to waste, and when I say hard work I mean it....:-( ahhh u have no idea :-( I really didn't know this could get me in so much trouble. I dnt know how I've been so dumb, ohh god :-( I just don't see myself there, I was put in the cell for 30 mins prior to interview and I can guarantee u I wouldn't resist a day....I wish I could open my eyes and think it was just a bad dream....

Throughout the UK there are barristers who will provide a free initial consultation.

From your experiences and what you may have heard, do you think there's any hope at all that I will come out of this without a criminal record, please?

I will meet a solicitor next week, I dnt have high hopes for them, I just want them to tell me what to expect, they can't make what's wrong right and cannot change what has been done. I am severely depressed....

Aside from a solicitor.....you need to talk to a doctor, someone to help you past things. Suicide is never the answer.