Tampa Wire Fraud Lawyer
Wire fraud, commonly known as computer or email scamming, is running rampant in Florida. Florida, in fact, has the second higher number of wire fraud incidents in the country, with hundreds of millions of dollars lost every year. If you have been accused of or arrested for wire fraud, understand that you will not receive a slap on the wrist if convicted. To stay out of prison, you need to work with a Tampa wire fraud lawyer. The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. is here to help.
What is Wire Fraud?
Wire fraud is the intentional and voluntary use of a communication device as part of an illegal scheme to defraud another out of money, property, or valuable personal information. Here in Florida, wire fraud is heavily persecuted. Each offense can count as its own charge, leaving defendants with little choice but to accept plea deals that are often unfavorable. An experienced Tampa wire fraud attorney may be able to have the charges dismissed, however, or reduced by:
- Proving that the defendant did not intend to commit fraud
- Prove that the defendant did not have knowledge that they were committing fraud
- Prove that the communication was not made via wire
- Proving that the amount the victim lost was less than prosecutors claim
- Prove that the promises, false pretenses, or representations were not about a material fact
Penalties for Wire Fraud in Florida
- Defrauded amount is less than $300—First degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail
- Defrauded amount is between $300 and $20,000—Third degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison
- Defrauded amount is between $20,000 and $50,000—Second degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison
- Defrauded amount is over $50,000—First degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison
Wire Fraud is Also a Federal Crime
Wire fraud is often prosecuted in federal court, as opposed to state, because many wire fraud schemes utilize technology/hardware operated by the federal government that crosses state lines, including phone and email. In fact, wire fraud is one of the most common crimes the federal government handles. As such, prosecutors are more than adept at achieving long prison sentences and other harsh penalties. Federal wire fraud is a felony penalized by:
- Up to twenty years in prison
- Up to $250,000 in fines for each individual
- Up to $500,000 in fines for an organization
Additional charges may apply if the wire fraud scheme involved a disaster or federal financial institution. Penalties can be increased to 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines. Moreover, each fraudulent act counts as its own offense. For example, if an individual sent 50 fraudulent emails, they could be charged with 50 counts of federal wire fraud.
Call a Tampa Wire Fraud Lawyer Today
Wire fraud schemes like the classic Nigerian Prince scheme rarely go unpunished if law enforcement locates the perpetrators. If you were arrested for wire fraud, you need to work with a Tampa wire fraud attorney who has both state and federal courtroom experience. Call the Matassini Law Firm, P.A. today at 813-217-5715 for a free consultation.
