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Have You Been Accused Of Wire Fraud?

Wire fraud is the use of phone, radio, television or the internet to defraud another person. It is a serious federal offense. If you have been charged with this crime it could have a grave impact on your future. Crippling fines, prison sentences and more could result. A New York City federal criminal lawyer can fight for you if you have been accused of wire fraud. Our federal wire fraud defense attorneys at Sapone & Petrillo, LLP, have the experience necessary to push back against complex fraud charges.

We understand the severity of wire fraud accusations. We will work with you to build a strong defense that protects your rights and your future. From our offices in New York City and Long Island, we have represented clients facing criminal charges in federal and state courts across the country. As experienced trial lawyers, we are dedicated to using that experience to build a legal strategy tailored to your needs and your defense.

What Is Wire Fraud?

Wire fraud is a fraud charge that includes any fraudulent activity involving electronic communications. With wire fraud, the use of these communications does not have to be central to the crimes committed. Similar to mail fraud crimes, the criminal charges are added on to other charges, simply because you used these regulated forms of communication to commit the crime. Charges associated with wire fraud include:

  • Identity theft
  • Credit card fraud
  • Marketing scams transmitted by phone, fax or internet
  • Pyramid schemes
  • Child pornography

Before the rise of the internet, wire fraud usually referred to using a telephone or fax machine to defraud someone else. While phone-based fraud still exists, the internet has led to an explosion of wire fraud charges. Here are a few examples of types of wire fraud:

  • Phishing: Sending emails posing as a bank or other business to trick recipients into sharing sensitive information, such as their bank account numbers, account names and passwords.
  • Advance-fee scams: A type of scam in which the offender emails strangers promising to give them a fortune if the victim pays an advance fee first. The perpetrator then pockets the “fee” without providing the promised fortune that does not exist. The classic example of this type of fraud is the “Nigerian prince scam,” in which the sender pretends to be royalty who needs help getting their vast wealth out of their country. But any scam that falsely promises a lot of money later for a relatively small amount of money today is an advance-fee scam.
  • Online money laundering: Someone committing another white-collar crime, such as embezzlement, might try to cover their tracks by making a rapid series of deposits and transfers across several bank accounts. If they use the internet to do this, it could lead to wire fraud charges.

Most charges of wire fraud are felony charges and could lead to hefty fines, paying restitution to victims and lengthy jail sentences. Felony charges can also have an impact on every aspect of your life, from your ability to pass a background check for future employment to your ability to find housing. Because of the severity of these charges, it is important to work with an experienced New York wire fraud defense lawyer whom you can trust to protect you.

Work With An Experienced New York City Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Have you been charged with wire fraud? Are you under investigation and believe that you might be charged? Don’t wait. Begin building your defense today with a New York City federal criminal defense attorney by calling 646-844-3445​ or emailing us.