Exploring Federal Cyber Crimes: Internet and Computer Fraud

What Federal Crimes Deal with Internet or Computer Fraud?

Many of our clients are charged with or threatened by federal internet and/or computer fraud-related crimes. Numerous federal crimes are associated with the use of the internet and computers. These offenses are often referred to as cybercrimes. A federal internet fraud lawyer must have experience dealing with various charges related to online scams, identity theft, phishing attacks, hacking, malware, and other forms of digital fraud.

At LGR Law, LLC, we have over 30 years of federal criminal defense experience, including specific experience in defending those charged under several federal statutes regulating internet and computer use.

Some of the federal statutes related to or used to charge individuals with internet and computer fraud crimes include:

1. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) (18 U.S.C. § 1030): This is the primary federal statute used to prosecute those charged with hacking and other cybercrimes. It covers unauthorized access to computers, hacking, data theft, the distribution of malware, and network intrusions.
2. Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act (18 U.S.C. § 1028): This statute makes identity theft a federal crime, including the unauthorized use of another person’s personal information to commit fraud. (Aggravated identity theft carries a 2-year mandatory minimum penalty).
3. Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) (18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2523, 2701-2712, 3121-3127): This act protects the privacy of electronic communications and regulates the interception and access to electronic communications, including email and other data transmissions.
4. Stored Communications Act (SCA) (18 U.S.C. §§ 2701-2712): Part of the ECPA, this act specifically addresses the voluntary and compelled disclosure of stored wire and electronic communications and transactional records held by third-party internet service providers (ISPs).
5. Wiretap Act (Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968) (18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2522): This act regulates the interception of wire, oral, and electronic communications. It requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before intercepting such communications.
6. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) (17 U.S.C. § 512): This act addresses copyright infringement on the internet, including the illegal distribution of copyrighted materials and the circumvention of digital rights management (DRM) technologies.
7. Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 7701-7713): This act aims to reduce the amount of spam email by setting standards for sending commercial emails and establishing penalties for those who violate these standards.

Lorraine Gauli-Rufo and LGR Law Group focus on defending federal charges brought in New Jersey, Manhattan, New York, and White Plains. If you or a loved one is facing federal criminal charges, is under investigation by federal agents, or has been contacted by a federal agent or an Assistant United States Attorney, we can assist you. Ms. Gauli-Rufo and her team have successfully defended individuals charged with crimes throughout New York and New Jersey. Over the past 30 years, they have secured acquittals on numerous charges and have achieved reduced charges and below-Guideline sentences, including probationary sentences, in thousands of cases. Our representative cases include healthcare fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, internet and computer fraud, securities fraud, Hobbs Act robbery, firearm and gun charges, drug offenses, RICO charges, gang crimes, and more. We also handle appeals and habeas corpus matters and have appeared and argued in both the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the Second Circuit. We offer a free 15-minute consultation and defense strategy session for all potential clients. Call today to schedule an appointment with our experienced and trusted criminal defense lawyers. Reach us at (973) 239-4300, contact us through our website at www.lgrlawgroup.com, or email us at [email protected].