Tampa Organized Fraud Lawyer
Organized fraud occurs every day in Florida; thousands of residents are scammed with fake emails allegedly sent by mortgage companies, healthcare companies, and banks with the goal of illegally obtaining the victim’s social security number, physical address, bank account information, date of birth, and other personal information. This type of identity theft leaves victims with thousands of dollars in losses, which are passed on to society in damaging ways. As a result, Florida severely penalizes those convicted of organized fraud. If you were arrested, you may be facing decades of prison time. At the Matassini Law Firm, P.A., our Tampa organized fraud lawyer believes that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and is here to help you fight for your freedom.
What is Organized Fraud?
Under statute 817.034, the Florida Communications Fraud Act, organized fraud is aimed at combating the type of organized fraud in which communications technologies are used “to solicit victims and thereby conceal their identities and overcome a victim’s normal resistance to sales pressure by delivering a personalized sales message.” Organized fraud generally involves phishing or spoofing. For example, the offender sends a personalized message to a victim impersonating a company, individual, or other legitimate party with the goal of obtaining personal or financial information from the victim, or from their employer. Billions of dollars are lost to such schemes every year in the United States. As such, states like Florida have adopted strict laws that penalize those who are convicted of these types of fraud schemes classified as “organized” fraud.
Elements of Organized Fraud
In order to reach guilty verdict, prosecutors must show that the defendant acted with:
- Systematic, ongoing course of conduct
- Intent to defraud one or more persons or intent to obtain property from one or more persons
- False or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, or by willfully misrepresenting future acts
Penalties for an Organized Fraud Conviction
Organized fraud may be conducted from behind a computer screen thousands of miles away from the victim, and with no real physical threat to the victim’s life, but the penalties for an organized fraud conviction are severe. The penalties depend on the amount of financial harm the offender caused, and the number of counts of fraud. Because each act of organized fraud can constitute its own charge, you may be facing multiple or even dozens of charges.
- Property is valued at under $20,000—3rd degree felony punishable by five years in prison or five years of probation and a $5,000 fine
- Property is valued at $20,000 to $50,000—2nd degree felony punishable by 15 years in prison or 15 years of probation and a $10,000 fine
- Property is valued under $20,000—1st degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
Call a Tampa Organized Fraud Lawyer Today
Fraud is one of the fastest growing types of crimes in our state, and prosecutors are keen to make examples out of those who get arrested for organized fraud. To give yourself the best possible defense, call a Tampa organized fraud lawyer at The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. today at 813-217-5715 for a free consultation.
