People accused of postal fraud can face prison terms and considerable fines. To ensure that you will not be wrongfully convicted of a crime you did not commit, contact an experienced business crime attorney to help you defend your interests.
What Is Mail Fraud?
There are two main elements in sending fraudulent emails. The first involves a plan or the intention to design a plan to defraud another person, while the second uses email in order to execute or attempt to execute a plan. Also, it doesn’t matter if such a plan originated by phone, internet or mail, all that is required to be considered a crime is that the United States Postal Service has been used somewhere in the scheme.
What Is Prohibited By Federal Law?
Under federal law, a person can be charged with mail fraud if they use the United States Mail Service for any of the following activities:
- Design or intend to create a plan to defraud;
- Obtain money or property through false pretenses, promises or representations;
- Sell, dispose, loan, alter, exchange, distribute or acquire any counterfeit currency, guarantee, obligation or other article for its illicit use.
Accepting payments in response to a fraudulent offer or making a fraudulent offer using the mail is also considered postal fraud. This prohibition of the use of emails for illegal purposes includes depositing any object related to a fraudulent plan in an authorized post office or depositary. This could include contracts, receipts, or any other form of communication associated with a fraudulent agreement. Additionally, the law not only includes items delivered by the United States Postal Service, but also applies to mail sent through interstate, private, and commercial carriers. Proving that objects, documents, or funds were sent through the use of interstate mail is critical.
Call Today If You Have Been Charged With Mail Fraud.
Postal fraud is one of the most common white collar crimes and is therefore accompanied by some of the most severe penalties. For this reason, it is critical for those who have been charged with this crime to speak as soon as possible about formulating their defense with an attorney. If you are under investigation or have been charged with mail fraud or another white collar crime, call Jeffrey S. Weiner, PA at (305) 985-6640 for a free consultation. A member of our legal team is ready to answer your questions and address your concerns.