Is it a Crime to Charge for Psychic Services?

It is a crime in Canada to fraudulently pretend, from your familiarity of an occult or “crafty science”, to discover where or in what manner anything that is supposed to have been missing may be found.

• The maximum sentence for this offence is a $5,000 fine or 6 months in jail or both a $5,000 fine and 6 months in jail.
• There is no minimum sentence for this offence.

This offence is covered by section 365 of the Criminal Code of Canada that sates,

365. - Every one who fraudulently

(c) pretends from his skill in or knowledge of an occult or crafty science to discover where or in what manner anything that is supposed to have been stolen or lost may be found,

is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

In order to be found guilty of this offence, the Crown Attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused person engaged in fraudulent activity while pretending to discover missing items while relying on their skill or knowledge of an occult or crafty science.