Understanding Wire Fraud Charges

 Posted on February 11, 2025 in Fraud

Wire fraud charges are part of many federal white-collar criminal cases. When the criminal case is mainly about a crime like embezzlement or credit card fraud, defendants do not always understand why they have been charged with this particular offense. This is likely because the definition of wire fraud has changed greatly over the past several decades. Before the internet, wire fraud involved wire money transfers or other wired communication. If the offense were created today, it would likely have been called something closer to "fraud by electronic communication." Wire fraud today simply means using any means of electronic communication, such as text messages, social media posts, or e-mails to defraud others. If you are facing wire fraud charges, you need an experienced Dallas, TX federal white-collar crimes attorney to help you.

Wire Fraud Involving Social Media 

Social media is very frequently used to further scams or other fraudulent schemes. If you look at some of the major fraud cases that have been brought against social media influencers - such as those who falsely claim to have cancer and solicit donations - you will see that wire fraud is frequently one of the charges brought. Social media-based schemes might also involve making false claims about a product advertised or more complicated romance schemes targeting individual users.

Wire Fraud and Advertisements 

Wire fraud charges can be brought against anyone who uses a medium like TV or radio to further a fraud scheme. This type of wire fraud charge often involves advertisements deemed untruthful or deliberately misleading. For example, advertising a product using an infomercial and drastically exaggerating the results it can provide might fall into this category. Advertisements placed online can also be counted as electronic communications.  

Using E-Mail or Text Messaging in Any Fraud Scheme

Unless a defendant has found a way to carry out a fraud scheme entirely offline and without using text messaging to further the scheme, wire fraud charges are likely to accompany any other charges he or she is facing. Corresponding with the alleged victims via text or e-mail is enough to sustain wire fraud charges. This enables the government to charge most people facing white-collar crime charges with wire fraud.

Contact a Dallas, TX Defense Attorney

Spencer & Associates is highly experienced in defending people accused of wire fraud. Our aggressive Dallas County, TX wire fraud lawyers can also address any other white-collar criminal charges you are facing. Contact us at 214-385-8500 for a complimentary consultation.