<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wire fraud is one of the most prevalent and severe</span><a href="https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/white-collar-crime"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">white-collar crimes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in America.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s estimated that it costs consumers, businesses, and governments billions of dollars every year. Since more and more communications are done online in this digital era, wire fraud schemes are becoming increasingly high-tech. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Facing charges for white-collar crimes, such as wire fraud, is no laughing matter. So, it’s worth knowing how wire fraud works, the laws governing it, and how to avoid it. You’ll want to consult a</span><a href="https://www.pkatzlegal.com/federal-criminal-defense/fraud-crimes/wire-fraud/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">wire fraud lawyer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> if you&#8217;re on the receiving end of such allegations. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What follows are five things about wire fraud in the United States that you should know.</span></p>
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<h2><b>1. What Wire Fraud Is</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wire fraud is a federal crime using electronic media &#8212; like the telephone, e-mail, text message, or website &#8212; to carry out a scheme to defraud an entity or person of money, property, or other items of value. It does not involve the use of force such as robbery or burglary.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To render a person guilty of wire fraud under</span><a href="https://www.oas.org/juridico/spanish/cyber/us_cyb_law_fed_crim_code.pdf"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">18 U.S. Code § 1343</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the government must prove four elements:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A scheme to defraud</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Intent to defraud</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Use of interstate wire communications</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A link between communications and schemes to defraud</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><b>2. Various Kinds of Wire Fraud</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wire fraud comes in different forms. Some of the most prevalent wire fraud schemes in America are the following:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Business Email Compromise:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Adopting executives&#8217; or suppliers&#8217; personas and requesting employees to send funds through wire transfers to imposter accounts.</span></p>
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<p><a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/protect-yourself-from-phishing-0c7ea947-ba98-3bd9-7184-430e1f860a44"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Phishing Scams:</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Phony messages or emails are sent to collect confidential financial or login credentials from recipients.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Real Estate Wire Fraud: </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Real estate transaction emails are stolen by identity thieves to wire funds into fraudulent accounts.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Investment Scams:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Insider information or unusually high returns are used to convince victims to wire money.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Online Marketplace Scams: </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sellers or buyers on online marketplaces, such as eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace, may be encouraged to wire money but do not receive the goods or services.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The thread that weaves through all these hoaxes is the use of electronic communication to facilitate wire fraud.</span></p>
<h2><b>3. Wire Fraud is a Federal Crime and Carries Harsh Penalties</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wire fraud is not only unethical &#8212; it&#8217;s a federal crime that can lead to prison time and fines if convicted. Sentences can include the following:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">20 years in prison per count</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">$250,000 per individual or $500,000 per entity forfeiture fine</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Orders of restitution to restore victims to their pre-theft condition</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If wire fraud is perpetrated through a federal disaster relief program &#8212; such as FEMA benefits &#8212; or banks, the sentence is 30 years maximum and the fines are $1 million maximum.</span></p>
<h2><b>4. Wire Fraud Investigations Take Time and Are Detailed</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Owing to the fact that wire fraud has numerous victims, may be of international nature, or is complicated in nature, it takes a long time for investigations to proceed. The FBI, the Secret Service, and even the IRS are likely to be involved in making a case.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Evidence typically consists of emails and text messages, bank records of money transfers, tracking IP addresses, social media activity, and statements from witnesses or victims.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes, innocent individuals can get caught up in investigations. If it happens to you, contact a criminal defense lawyer right away. You don’t want to go toe-to-toe with federal investigators alone.</span></p>
<h2><b>5. How to Guard Yourself From Wire Fraud</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Preventing wire fraud starts with awareness and caution. These are steps individuals and companies can take to lessen the odds of anyone committing this white-collar crime:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Confirm Prior to Wiring Money:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Always dial a known, verified number to confirm wire instructions. </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Email Warning:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Double-check sender email addresses thoroughly and never follow suspicious links.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> These practices make your accounts more difficult for thieves to access.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Employee Training:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> For businesses, routine employee training can help them identify and report phishing emails.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Secure Your Network:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Update with fresh antivirus software, turn on firewalls, and limit access to sensitive data.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inform your bank, the FBI&#8217;s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), and local law enforcement authorities if you are a victim of wire fraud.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wire fraud is a high-tech, costly hoax that robs millions of Americans every year. As a businessperson, homeowner, or simply as an online consumer, you must know about the risks.</span></p>

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