Wire fraud, as defined under 18 U.S.C. § 1343 is “a scheme to deprive of property through use of an interstate telephone calls or electronic communication including the internet, wire transfers, and even the use of television and radio.” If you have used the internet, telephone or fax machine to commit fraud, then you could be facing a federal wire fraud charged.

Each year more and more people are victims of wire fraud which is why the federal institutes are cracking down on all wire fraud crimes. What this means is that you could be accused of a wire fraud crime under false pretenses. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has invested several billions of dollars on stopping all internet crimes before they start. If you have been accused or are under suspicion for wire fraud, contact our attorneys right away. The faster you make the call, the faster we can get to work on your case.

What Constitutes Wire Fraud?

Wire fraud, similar to mail fraud, is usually considered a federal offense and thus handled in a separate court outside Minnesota. The reason is because the internet spans outside of the state boundaries. Some of the more common wire fraud schemes include but are not limited to:

• Identity theft
• White collar crimes involving communication lines
• Internet crimes
• Credit card fraud
• Telemarketing fraud
• eBay fraud
• Pyramid or ponti schemes
• Telephone marketing schemes
• False advertising
• Fax machine marketing schemes

Many wire crime offenses are considered white collar crimes if the event takes place as a business transaction. White collar crimes often come with a lot of public scrutiny and unwanted media attention. If you are confronted by the media, the police or anyone else, it is important that you remain quiet and calm. Denying the accusation or trying to explain your side of the story could result in complications in court down the road. Remember anything you say can and will be used against you so it’s best to remain quiet unless a lawyer is present.

Facing Wire Fraud Conviction

A wire fraud conviction is normally considered a felony offense. You may be facing jail time, hefty fines and restitution to the victim. You may be in jeopardy of losing your job and may have trouble finding another one. A wire fraud conviction will end up on your permanent record negatively impacting your life, even after you have done your time. You may lose your rights to firearms as well as your rights to travel overseas.

Many people assume that, when it comes to federal crimes, your penalty and your plea is already decided before you step into court. This is most certainly not the case. Every instance of wire fraud is different. Our attorneys will work with you to assess your case and determine which defense strategy is best for your situation. There are ways to walk away from a wire fraud arrest with a not-guilty verdict.

Representation throughout Minnesota

Let us help you out of this sticky legal situation. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your case, it is critical that you act fast and speak to an experienced Minneapolis mail fraud lawyer. Rivers & Associates, PA are there when you need us most. It is important to act fast when facing an arrest and criminal conviction. Our experienced attorneys can provide you with the aggressive representation and legal assistance you need to ensure the best outcome possible. Contact us today at (612) 339-3939.

Our Minneapolis criminal defense lawyers represent clients throughout Minnesota, including the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, Mankato, St. Cloud, Moorhead, Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Lakeville, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Roseville and Woodbury.