Phoenix Mail & Wire Fraud Defense Lawyer

Mail and wire fraud are charged in many different situations, often in addition to other white collar crime or drug charges. Charges of mail and wire fraud up the stakes, increasing the potential penalties that you face.

Wire Fraud

Under federal law, wire fraud involves using “interstate wires” to transmit information for the purpose of carrying out a scheme to defraud others. Usually, wire fraud is an issue when people allegedly use technology as part of a scheme to deceive others. The government adds the charge when technology is used to unlawfully obtain money, services, goods or other valuables.

To prove wire fraud, the government must show the following elements:

• There was a scheme to defraud
• The accused knowingly or willingly engaged in the scheme with the intent to defraud
• The accused used wire communication methods in the scheme

Usually, wire fraud is an issue when people allegedly use technology as part of a scheme to deceive others. The government adds the charge when technology is used to unlawfully obtain money, services, goods or other valuables.

Wire fraud may be allegedly committed in many different ways, including:

• Internet, including email, websites, and instant messaging
• Telephone, including text messages on a cell phone
• Radio
• Television, including television advertising
• Fax machine
• Any other electronic transmission

Common Wire Fraud Schemes

Some of the most common examples of wire fraud can include:

• Unsolicited phishing emails that ask for personal and financial information
• Text messages claiming you’ve won a prize and need to send over your bank account information to claim it
• Telemarketing fraud, which may ask for a Social Security number or bank account information over the phone
• Using an advertisement online to entice customers into a Ponzi scheme

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Penalties for Wire Fraud

The penalties for wire fraud may include up to 20 years in prison, along with fines. If a financial institution is affected or targeted, the penalties may increase to up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

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Mail Fraud

Mail fraud can be charged as a federal offense because it typically involves the United States Postal Service. However, it has also expanded to include other interstate carrier services including Fedex and UPS. To be charged with mail fraud, it must be proved that you were involved in a scheme to defraud and used a mail carrier to further that scheme.

Mail fraud charges are often brought against alleged drug dealers who send controlled substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine or heroin through the mail. In the United States, federal postal inspectors can obtain search warrants to open suspicious packages and inspect the contents. Often, these packages are repackaged and delivered to the intended recipient – along with a team of DEA agents or other law enforcement officials.