Mail and Wire Fraud

The U.S. Government continues to employ copious amounts of resources into cracking down on large-scale federal fraud crimes. Crimes associated with fraud cost the United States economy trillions of dollars per year. Federal prosecutors will do all in their power to see to it that those suspected of fraudulent activities are convicted, and will exhaust the resources available to them to attain every shred of evidence they can to make a strong case against a defendant. If you are under investigation for fraud in West Palm Beach, acquire the aid of a skilled West Palm Beach wire and mail fraud defense lawyer as early as possible.

Mail and wire fraud charges present themselves in nearly all federal fraud cases. These are very serious charges for which you could spend several years in a federal prison paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines if you are convicted. If you are under investigation for credit card fraud, bank fraud, forgery, health care fraud, tax fraud, identity theft, or any other crime of deception, you will likely face mail and wire fraud charges. It’s important to understand what you might be up against in a court of law.

Mail Fraud Charges in West Palm Beach

The United States Code describes prohibited fraud offenses in Title 18 Chapter 63. Mail fraud is explained in 18 USC §1341. This statute provides that anyone who attempts to obtain money or property through fraud or other false pretense and uses the Post Office or other postal service to transmit information, money, or other materials connected to the scheme, may be prosecuted for mail fraud.

Most who commit a fraud offense commit mail fraud for financial gain. The crime may be committed against individuals, businesses, the government, banks, or other financial establishments. Because mail fraud necessitates the use of of a postal service, which involves the transmission of communications over state lines, it is a federal crime by default.

Several government organizations may launch an investigation to uncover mail fraud, including the FBI, the IRS, or other agency with investigative ability. A person who is convicted of mail fraud may face up to 20 years in a federal prison and may be ordered to pay up to $250,000 in fines. Enhanced penalties face those who defraud or attempt to defraud banks and other financial institutions. They may face up to 30 years in a federal prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.

Wire Fraud Charges in West Palm Beach

The federal statute for wire fraud is essentially identical to the statute that describes mail fraud. The wire fraud statute was drafted to keep up with technological advancements. Per 18 USC §1343, it is a federal crime to devise and advance a scheme to defraud another person out of money or property by using “wired” communication methods, such as the telephone, television, radio, or the internet. The use of emails, cellular phones, and text messages to commit fraud would constitute wire fraud.

An example of wire fraud may include a person making up false information to fill an application for financial aid and submitting the application online. In addition to mail fraud charges, she may also face charges for bankruptcy and credit card fraud. Prosecutors often file as many charges as possible to make it more difficult to defend the charges against the defendant.

West Palm Beach Mail & Wire Fraud Defense Attorney

The federal government acts swiftly to crack down on fraudulent activities. Thus, many instances of fraud can be tied back to misunderstandings rather than purposeful wrongdoing. An inquisitive federal defense lawyer like Brian Gabriel will investigate every angle of your case to develop a fortified defense. He will examine the evidence the prosecution has against you as well as collect his own evidence to present you in a positive light. Find out what our West Palm Beach mail and wire fraud defense lawyer can do to mitigate the effects of mail and wire fraud charges by calling 561-622-5575 or contacting us online. We offer free consultations.