Federal authorities are cracking down on cross-border wire fraud operations. Those who find themselves on the wrong side of the authorities face an uphill battle without the help of an experienced attorney who understands the complicated criminal justice system and the implications of cross-border wire fraud charges.
At Keith Oliver Law, our legal team wants to help you understand what it means to face a cross-border wire fraud offense and what a criminal defense lawyer can do to help you overcome the challenges ahead.
What Is Cross-Border Wire Fraud?
Cross-border wire fraud typically refers to scams and criminal activities that function across international boundaries. Before the internet, cross-border wire fraud occurred via mail, phone calls, faxes, and ads in printed magazines and newspapers. Today, technology has expanded the tools alleged scammers can use to convince individuals and companies to send money to them. Social media, email, and texts are the new frontier for cross-border wire fraud schemes.
Many instances of cross-border wire fraud involve convincing someone to send money outside their home country to another country using instant or untraceable means like wire transfers or cryptocurrency by misrepresenting a situation or providing false statements. Wire fraud is a specific type of criminal offense involving telecommunications and false information intended to gain something of value from another individual.
Some of the most common cross-border fraud scams include:
- Romantic relationship scams
- Reshipping
- Mail fraud
- Advance fee fraud
- Work-at-home scams
- Overpayment scams
- Tech support scams
- Executive expense schemes
- Money mule
- Foreign lottery scams
- Counterfeit goods
- Phishing and spoofing
Some estimates suggest that cross-border scams cost American consumers $5.2 billion in financial losses in the past eight years.
Legal Implications in New Jersey
Is wire fraud a felony? Yes. Cross-border wire fraud, like traditional wire fraud, is a federal felony offense. Those accused of committing wire fraud can face prosecution by federal prosecutors. Federal wire fraud charges can carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. Penalties can be more severe in cases where an individual defrauds a financial institution or the fraud connects to a presidentially declared emergency or disaster.
Cross-border wire fraud is even more complicated and carries significant criminal penalties. Individuals can face various federal charges and legal complications in the United States depending on the nature of the crime and the types of tools they use to commit the cross-border wire fraud offense.
The Defense Process If Accused
Federal accusations of cross-border wire fraud can be intimidating. The New Jersey criminal justice system is complex, and navigating it can be challenging. The defense process always starts with an initial consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable cross-border wire fraud attorney. A wire fraud attorney knows what’s at stake and the penalty you may face. A defense attorney can proactively protect your legal rights and help you seek a favorable outcome.
The defense process involves numerous steps, from reviewing evidence against an individual to crafting a customized defense plan and negotiating with federal prosecutors. Depending on the circumstances of the case, it may be possible to negotiate a plea agreement to secure reduced penalties.
If there is a strong chance that the case will move to trial, a criminal trial attorney can help you navigate the legal process from start to finish and aggressively represent you in court.
From charges to trial, a New Jersey cross-border wire fraud attorney can help you:
- Understand your legal rights
- Thoroughly investigate your situation
- Develop a comprehensive defense strategy
- Argue for reduced or dropped charges
- Negotiate a plea deal
- Tenaciously represent you in court
The defense process can vary depending on the unique circumstances of your case. Speak with a skilled cross-border wire fraud defense attorney to better understand the defense process.
Common Challenges and How We Overcome Them
A criminal defense attorney will review your unique situation and craft a comprehensive and personalized defense plan based on the circumstances of your case. An experienced criminal defense attorney understands the challenges and intricacies of a case like yours and knows how to overcome those hurdles.
One option that may be available is to challenge the validity of the evidence collected or argue that the evidence against you was obtained through illegal means, like an illegal search and seizure. Another option is to argue that the accused was unaware of the fraud scheme and had no ill intent.
A wire fraud attorney can review the details of your case and develop defense tactics designed to overcome the unique challenges that your case may pose.
What to Do If You’re Accused of Wire Fraud
What should you do if you are accused of cross-border wire fraud? First and foremost, stop talking. Many people mistakenly believe that talking with the authorities and cooperating with law enforcement can help them establish their innocence. Nothing is further from the truth. If facing charges of mail and wire fraud, anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Always exercise your right to remain silent and politely refuse to speak to law enforcement until you have legal representation.
Next, contact a cross-border wire fraud attorney for help. An attorney can be instrumental in helping to protect your legal rights. Your attorney can help you understand the charges against you and the next steps in the legal process.
It is also crucial that you avoid social media. Do not seek help from online forums or post about your situation online. Again, your words can be used against you, no matter how innocent you think your online statements are. Get an attorney on your side and let them handle the New Jersey criminal justice system for you.
Contact Our New Jersey Defense Attorneys for Help
Have you been accused of cross-border wire fraud? Federal crimes are serious business, and wire fraud penalties can change your life. You need a resourceful and experienced attorney who understands the wire fraud statute to help you during this challenging time. At Keith Oliver Law, our criminal defense team has a long track record of helping people in your situation facing charges in federal court.
Contact our New Jersey office today and request a free legal consultation with our criminal wire fraud attorneys.
