What is Wire Fraud

It can be any form of electronic communication such as writing, pictures, and sound with common types of fraud include telemarketing actions, phishing schemes, and unsolicited email messages to another.

Several means of defrauding electronically are the use of traditional bank wires, Western Union money transfers, using a telephone to further crimes, and as well as fax machines and email services.
A Defendant who uses Paypal to defraud a seller on eBay can also be charged with fraud pursuant to the wire statute.

Defendants who commit federal narcotics crimes Pursuant to 21 USC 841 & 846 that facilitate the use of a telephone to further the crimes can be charged with some called a Phone Count that carries a 4-year sentence in Federal Prison.

Who Investigates Wire Fraud?

Instances of suspected wire fraud are normally investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

If there is an instance of fraud by wire after an extensive investigation by the FBI, an individual or organization can be charged with this federal offense, and criminal charges will ensue in US District Court court.
Each count will be dealt with by the federal court system, with a court case considering facts and the law.

The law for wire fraud is found under title 18 of the United States Code section 1343.

What are the Sentencing Penalties for Wire Fraud?

Since wire fraud is a federal crime, the penalties can be severe if an individual or organization is found guilty.
For individuals, there can be fines issued up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 20 years in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

For organizations, there can be an even larger fine. This can be up to $500,000.
Of course, the severity of the punishment will depend on the seriousness of the fraud committed and the all-important dollar loss.

Under certain circumstances, the Federal prison sentence for individuals can be increased up to 30 years depending on the Dollar Loss Exposure, the level of the defendant’s involvement in the crime, and the defendant’s criminal history as determined by  U.S. Sentencing Guidelines section 2B1.1.

Multiple Counts of Fraud

Every instance of fraud is treated separately. In other words, instances of electronic communication will be taken as separate counts.
For example, if an individual commits fraud by sending three emails, this will be seen as three counts of fraud. If they are found guilty, they may be subject to $750,000 in fines, as well as serving 60 years in prison.

Examples of Actual Wire Fraud Cases

Jury Convicts Lebanon CPA of $7 Million Wire Fraud, Money Laundering Scheme

SPRINGFIELD, MO. November 7, 2019 – A certified public accountant in Lebanon, Missouri, was convicted by a federal jury today of a $7 million scheme to defraud his employer and clients.
Douglas A. Richardson, 46, was found guilty of all 10 counts contained in an Aug. 16, 2018, federal indictment.

Jefferson County Man Sentenced to 41 Months for Wire Fraud Scheme

BIRMINGHAM. AL – Ooctober 29, 2019 – A federal judge today sentenced a Jefferson County man for engaging in a wire fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr. U.S. District Judge Karon O. Bowdre sentenced JEFFREY RUSERT, 52, to 41 months in prison for embezzlement of over $1.3 million from his customers.  Rusert pled guilty in June, 2019.