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Judgment No. 33588 of 2023: Contractual Fraud and the Consumptive Moment of the Crime

The recent judgment No. 33588 of July 13, 2023, by the Court of Cassation has provided important clarifications regarding contractual fraud, particularly concerning the consumptive moment of the crime. This topic, of great relevance for those dealing with criminal law and asset protection, highlights the need to analyze the specific circumstances of each case to determine when actual harm occurs to the victim.

The Principle of the Consumption of the Crime

The Court emphasizes that, in terms of contractual fraud, the moment when the crime is consumed must be evaluated based on the peculiarities of the individual agreement. This implies a careful analysis of the methods and timing of the actions to establish when the damage to the deceived party occurs and the consequent unjust profit for the perpetrator. In particular, the judgment clarifies that, in cases where the products subject to negotiation do not exist, the crime is perfected with the signing of the contract.

Contractual fraud - Non-existence of the object of the contract - Consumptive moment - Signing of the contract - Case. In terms of contractual fraud, the moment of consumption of the crime must be identified in light of the peculiarities of the individual agreement and the specific contractual intent, considering the methods and timing of the actions, in order to establish when the actual harm to the deceived party occurred in correlation to the unjust profit obtained by the perpetrator, so that, in cases where the products subject to negotiation do not exist, the crime is perfected with the signing of the contract, as it is at the moment of assuming a legally actionable obligation by the passive subject that the agent actually obtains the unjust profit. (Case in which the defendant, assuring a significant economic return and the seriousness of the operation, misled the victim, who, by transferring an amount to a foreign bank account indicated to her, believed she was participating in an investment guaranteed by a foreign law company, without receiving anything in return, since the products were "ab origine" unsuitable to generate returns).

Practical Implications of the Judgment

This decision has significant implications for the fight against contractual fraud. Legal professionals must pay particular attention to the contract signing phase, as it is at that moment that the commission of the crime can be ascertained. Some key points to consider are:

  • The necessity to verify the existence and validity of the object of the contract.
  • The assessment of the promises made by the agent and their correspondence with reality.
  • The relevance of documentation and communication between the parties to demonstrate fraudulent intent.

Conclusions

In summary, judgment No. 33588 of 2023 represents an important step in defining contractual fraud, clarifying the moment of consumption of the crime and the need for a thorough analysis of the contracts in question. It is essential for victims of contractual fraud to understand their rights and the ways to protect themselves, and for legal professionals to stay updated on such jurisprudential developments.