What is Wire Fraud?

March 31, 2020

You have likely heard of a federal crime known as wire fraud, as it happens on many of the movies we love to watch and in our favorite novels. However, wire fraud does not just encompass one crime but multiple types of crimes. Wire fraud is a broad type of charge and includes any type of scam that takes place over interstate wires such as by the use of telemarketers, signs, writings, and many other scams that take money from others.

How Do You Know That It’s Wire Fraud?

You may believe that a crime is wire fraud when it really isn’t. So, how do you know that the crime actually encompasses wire fraud? Here are four elements that play a role in these cases:

The defendant participated in a scheme to take money or property from another person or entity
The defendant knew that they were committing fraud through their actions
It was foreseeable that the defendant used wire communications
The defendant used interstate wire communications and this can be proven

When a person or entity engages in wire fraud, they are typically attempting to gain your personal information so that they can steal your finances from you. One of the most common types of wire fraud that we see every year in the United States is telemarketing fraud, which takes place over the phone when a scammer attempts to gain information from another party. Scammers, however, also use the internet at times. They engage in an act known as ‘phishing,’ which is when a scammer sends out emails to many people in an attempt to pry private information from others.

A Common Type of Wire Fraud

One of the most common types of wire fraud that comes up time and time again is one where a scammer will ask someone to keep their money safe. In this particular scam, a scammer will send out an email claiming that they have experienced some type of disaster. They will tell the person they are attempting to scam that they have money in a bank account and want to keep it safe with the reader. From there, they will scam the information out of the reader and access the person’s money. These scams are easy to spot and decipher; however, some fall for them every year, including the elderly and ill-informed.

Penalties for Engaging in Wire Fraud in Summit, NJ

If somebody is found guilty of wire fraud, there are many penalties that could come into play. These include the following:

Up to $250,000 per individual
Up to $500,000 for organizations
Imprisonment for up to 20 years

Because these penalties can have a huge impact on the rest of your life on criminal and financial levels, it is important that you seek the help of an experienced attorney during these difficult times. Wire fraud is usually also linked to other crimes, which means that somebody could expect a wide array of charges that coincide with this crime. A criminal defense attorney will be able to look at all options and assist those in need after they have received charges.

Contact an Experienced Summit Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Wire Fraud Charges in Essex and Union County

Were you arrested or charged with wire fraud in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at Zegas Law have successfully represented clients charged with wire fraud in Morris County, Middlesex County, Somerset County, Bergen County, and throughout New Jersey. Call (973) 379-1999 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 60 Morris Turnpike #60, Summit, NJ.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

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