If you are accused of fraud in federal court, you need the best criminal defense attorney possible. The government has unlimited resources and can devote massive amounts of time and effort to prosecuting you.
You may face substantial fines and/or prison terms if you are convicted of federal fraud crimes. Contact a Federal Fraud Defense immediately.
Fraudulent Schemes
Most states have laws against fraud, but when a fraud scheme involves mail, wire or other communications, the United States Attorneys’ Office will often bring charges in federal court. Fraud conspiracy charges punish those who collaborate to commit fraud and can carry substantial jail time.
Fraudulent schemes are a type of white collar crime that involves false representations to obtain a benefit, usually money. The benefit can be from a government agency, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, or from a corporation like a bank or an investment firm.
A skilled criminal defense lawyer can argue that there was no intent to defraud. If a person communicated a false representation and the communication was not intended to mislead or harm someone, then there is no intent to defraud. A knowledgeable attorney can also attack the mental state element of the fraud charge by demonstrating that the accused did not intend to take something from another person or entity.
Wire Fraud
The government takes this type of fraud very seriously and it can carry stiff prison terms, substantial fines and restitution. Like mail fraud, wire fraud can be committed on an individual or an institution, such as a financial organization.
Typically, a bad actor will impersonate an individual and request personal information or payments from unsuspecting victims over the phone, in person, email, social media or text messaging. This is known as phishing and can be an extremely effective method of stealing sensitive data from individuals and businesses alike.
Fraudsters can also use wire fraud to scam government agencies, such as Medicare and Medicaid. This is referred to as federal program fraud and can carry very stiff prison terms, restitution and hefty fines.
Mail Fraud
Mail fraud is one of the most common types of federal criminal charges. This white-collar crime involves using the US Postal Service, private mail carriers, or commercial interstate wire communications in connection with a fraudulent scheme to steal money or other property from someone else. The penalties for this crime are steep, particularly if the offense impacts a financial institution, with a maximum of 20 years in jail and fines.
To be convicted of mail fraud, the government must prove that you knowingly participated in or devised a fraudulent scheme to deprive another person of money or other property. The scheme must also involve a false pretense.
Criminals can duplicate official stationery to make mailings look legitimate, so always verify the authenticity of a mailer before making any payment or responding to a request for information. You can do this by checking the sender’s website or calling them directly to verify the legitimacy of a message.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud is a white-collar crime that occurs when someone knowingly submits a false claim to an insurer for financial gain. It can be committed in any line of insurance, from auto to property to life. Most states have insurance fraud bureaus, and many insurance companies also employ teams to combat fraud.
This kind of fraud can be detected and prevented through predictive modeling that uses large data sets to identify suspicious patterns. Moreover, it can be avoided by staying educated and aware of the different types of fraudulent activities.
Fraudulent schemes have far-reaching consequences. Not only do they raise costs for consumers, but they can hurt businesses. As a result, it is important for business owners to understand the risks involved in any type of white-collar crime and take proactive measures. In addition, business leaders should consider retaining experienced federal criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible. Contact the Zoukis Consulting Group today to learn more about how we can help.
