A Fraud Conspiracy Lawyer Will Defend Your Rights

Fraud conspiracy is an offense you’ve probably heard a few times, but you might not know what it means. One of the first things people do when dealing with fraud conspiracy is to decide whether they need to hire a fraud lawyer.

We’ll answer your questions about the conspiracy to commit fraud, federal fraud offenses, and what that means for someone charged with the crime.

If you are in this situation and need help from an expert legal team of defense lawyers, call the Zoukis Consulting Group. We will go to court with you and see your rights are upheld.

First, let’s learn the basics of federal fraud conspiracy.

What Does Conspiracy to Commit Fraud Mean?

Fraud conspiracy charges are different from fraud charges on their own. A fraud conspiracy charge happens when two or more parties agree to commit a crime or a fraudulent activity.

Furthermore, a person can be charged with conspiracy to commit fraud even if they don’t go through with the scam. Many law firms have specialized federal fraud lawyers specifically for those types of cases.

What Are Fraud Crimes?

In layman’s terms, fraud is when people use deception, a lie, a falsehood, or a form of dishonesty to gain a benefit for themselves. While fraud is mainly thought of as a criminal offense, it is civil as well.

Civil fraud means that the victim can sue for monetary damages to make up for the loss, but it’s not a criminal charge. That means someone who goes to court for civil fraud will not go to jail or pay fines. 

Criminal fraud involves jail time and fines, depending on the severity of the offense. When criminal fraud is an offense that rises to a federal level, then a federal fraud attorney needs to be involved. 

There are various laws at the state and federal levels about fraud. The crime of fraud can be a state offense, a federal offense, or both. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of criminal fraud offenses.

Mail Fraud

Mail fraud is one of the most common types of criminal fraud offenses. Mail fraud involves using the United States Postal Service, or any other interstate delivery service, in a scheme to defraud.

One example of mail fraud is a criminal using the mail to extort money from someone. It doesn’t matter if the scheme is successful or not, simply using the mail to commit fraud will violate the law.

Wire Fraud 

Wire fraud is a fairly broad term, and it is applied to many different cases. It involves using a communication device, like the internet, computer, telephone, or any other similar communication device to perpetuate a scheme or fraud. 

Computer and Internet Fraud

Computer and internet fraud involves hacking into a network or computer to commit fraud. Hacking may involve manipulating records, finding and changing financial information, or using a computer to defraud someone of something of value. Phishing is a common form of computer and internet fraud. 

Counterfeit Fraud

Counterfeiting is when someone makes fake currency, goods, or documents. It can be both a state or federal crime. A fake birth certificate or a fake ID can be a state crime, but producing fake money is a federal crime. 

Selling counterfeit items, like shoes or purses, is also considered fraud. 

Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud occurs when someone gets a credit card through fraudulent or dishonest means. This could be anything from a server at a restaurant lifting a credit card number to more complicated schemes involving a batch of credit card numbers appearing online.

Loan Fraud

Loan fraud is when a person lies to a bank, federal agency, mortgage lender, or other financial institution to get a loan. It involves making false statements.

A crime is committed even if the lender doesn’t lose any money.

What Are the Penalties for Fraud?

There are a couple of different penalties for committing fraud. Depending on the severity of the crime and the location, they can range from simple misdemeanor offenses to more serious felony cases.

Incarceration

Incarceration is the most severe penalty for fraud crimes. Penalties range depending on location and crime severity. A felony conviction carries multiple-year sentences depending on the factors. A misdemeanor conviction can result in up to a year of prison time.

A federal fraud conviction can carry more than ten years in prison.

Fines

Fraud fines can range from less than a thousand dollars to upwards of $10,000.

Probation

A probation sentence will generally last a year or more. Probation is a restriction on daily life. People on probation will have to report to a probation officer and perform drug tests, prove they have gainful employment, and stay away from specific criminal elements.

Restitution

After a fraud conviction, a person can be compelled by a court to repay whatever was lost or stolen by the victims. Restitution is in addition to court fines.

Hire a Federal Fraud Attorney to Defend Your Rights

If you’ve been charged with any type of federal-level fraud, you need the right kind of lawyer to defend you in court. A strong legal team can make all the difference when it comes to your verdict or sentencing.

Call the Zoukis Consulting Group now to schedule an initial consultation with us on your case.

Published Feb 15, 2022 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Jul 15, 2023 at 10:01 pm