FEDERAL FINANCIAL CRIMES

A financial crime typically involves the theft of large sums of money or property. These crimes exploit the systems that manage or administer funds or property. These are non-violent offenses committed by individuals or corporations. These crimes often result in a financial loss to another individual or corporation. These are severe offenses, so the consequences of committing federal financial crimes can include incarceration. If you have charges against you for a purported federal financial crime, reach out to an attorney. An experienced, committed, and determined federal defense attorney can fight for a positive outcome for you.

Federal Financial Crimes

Federal crimes can be grouped into several categories. That is because there are specific ways a federal court can be involved when a case is brought before it. Federal crimes charges are commonly alleged in matters such as tax fraud, real estate, embezzlement, money laundering offenses, and more.

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Wire Fraud

Wire fraud is a kind of financial fraud accomplished by using telecommunications or information technology. Information is transmitted electronically over a wire via a financial transaction, computer, telephone, or telegraph signal.

Real Estate Fraud

Real estate fraud may be committed electronically, as well. Allegedly fraudulent electronic communications sent from one state to another may result in the case being heard in federal court. For instance, real estate fraud might involve closing documents containing material omissions or misstatements intended to defraud someone may be faxed from one state to another.

Mail Fraud

Mail fraud is a strategy that intends to deprive an individual of their money, property, or services by using the U.S. Postal Service or an interstate mail carrier to bring about the crime.For instance, if someone writes bad checks and then mails them from one state to another, it is considered mail fraud.

Investigating Financial Crimes

Many different agencies can investigate financial crimes. Some of these include
  • The Inspector General’s Office 
  • The FBI 
  • The U.S. Postal Service
  • The IRS (in cases of tax violation)
When someone allegedly commits a financial crime or fails to declared ill-gotten gain on their tax return, the IRS has jurisdiction to investigate. The U.S. Postal Service may have the authority to investigate if an allegation of a mail fraud scheme is carried out through a private mail carrier or the postal service. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is responsible for overseeing how securities are bought, sold, marketed, and traded. The SEC is a powerful agency with a wide range of investigative power. The SEC does not bring criminal charges—it is a civil investigative body. An SEC investigation may quickly become a federal criminal investigation. When an individual allegedly violates SEC rules, they are well-advised to have a criminal defense lawyer monitor the investigation and scrutinize the potential criminal liability.

Intensity of Investigation

The intensity of any investigation can vary depending on the agency performing the investigation. Most agencies follow up appropriately when there is an investigation. On the federal government side, investigators typically commit much personnel to conduct the investigation. With an intense federal investigation for financial crimes, you must monitor the investigation process and avoid self-incrimination. A federal criminal defense attorney can help with this.