South Australian Current Acts

CRIMINAL LAW CONSOLIDATION ACT 1935 - SECT 139A

139A—Dishonest communication with children

        (1)         A person of or over the age of 18 years who—

            (a)         knowingly communicates with a person under the age of 17 years or a person they believe is under the age of 17 years (the "victim"); and

            (b)         makes a false representation in such communication that—

                  (i)         the person is younger than they are; or

                  (ii)         the person is someone other than who they are; and

            (c)         meets or arranges to meet with the victim,

is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.

        (2)         A person of or over the age of 18 years who—

            (a)         knowingly communicates with a person under the age of 17 years or a person they believe is under the age of 17 years (the "victim"); and

            (b)         makes a false representation in such communication that—

                  (i)         the person is younger than they are; or

                  (ii)         the person is someone other than who they are,

with intent to commit an offence against the victim is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.

        (3)         For the purposes of this section, it does not matter that the victim is a fictitious person represented to the defendant as a real person.