The Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) has recently been cracking down on cases of federal wire fraud. Wire fraud is governed by  18 U.S.C. § 1342.

18 U.S.C § 1342 states that the four essential elements of the crime of wire fraud are: (1) that the defendant voluntarily and intentionally devised or participated in a scheme to defraud another out of money; (2) that the defendant did so with the intent to defraud; (3) that it was reasonably foreseeable that interstate wire communications would be used; and (4) that interstate wire communications were in fact used.

All four of the elements for wire fraud must be found to meet the criteria for wire fraud.

Recently, six individuals were charged in the Southern District of New York for conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a business email compromise (“BEC”) scheme. The scheme involved using spoofing attacks to deceive victims, causing them to unknowingly transfer approximately $5.8 million to bank accounts set up using fake and stolen information. The defendants and accomplices in this matter allegedly conducted a fraudulent BEC scheme, employing email impersonation to deceive five victims: a hospital, a labor union, a law firm, a real estate closing company, and a logistics company. These tactics led to payments of approximately $5.8 million sent to fraudulent bank accounts. The charges provide that each fraudulent account was opened just before diverting the funds, with at least three accounts using either fake driver’s licenses or stolen social security numbers.

LGR Law, LLC’s federal criminal defense attorneys have the essential skills to protect your legal rights. Should you or a loved one face accusations of wire fraud or receive any indication of being a target of a federal investigation, contact Lorraine Gauli-Rufo, and the attorneys at LGR Law. (973) 239-4300, www.lgrlawgroup.com, [email protected].