Wire Fraud Defense Attorneys in New York, New Jersey & Federal Court

Facing Wire Fraud Charges? Protect Your Rights in State and Federal Court.

Wire fraud is one of the most frequently charged federal white-collar crimes, though it can also be prosecuted at the state level in New York and New Jersey. It generally involves using electronic communications — such as email, phone, text messages, or the internet — as part of a scheme to defraud someone of money, property, or honest services.

Because wire fraud is most often pursued in federal court, the stakes are extremely high. A conviction can result in decades in prison, enormous fines, restitution orders, forfeiture of assets, and collateral consequences that affect your personal and professional life for years.

Federal Wire Fraud Law

Wire fraud is defined under 18 U.S.C. §1343. To secure a conviction, federal prosecutors must prove:

  1. There was a scheme or plan to defraud.
  2. The defendant acted with intent to defraud.
  3. Interstate or international wire communications (phone, internet, email, text, fax, etc.) were used to further the scheme.

Penalties under federal law include:

  • Up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 for individuals or $500,000 for organizations per count.
  • If the scheme involves a financial institution or is connected to a federal disaster relief program, penalties increase to up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $1,000,000.
  • Courts may also order forfeiture of assets and restitution to victims.

Wire fraud is often charged alongside mail fraud (18 U.S.C. §1341), bank fraud (18 U.S.C. §1344), securities fraud, and money laundering, which can dramatically increase exposure.

Wire Fraud in New York & New Jersey

While wire fraud is usually federal, state prosecutors may charge related offenses such as:

  • New York: Larceny, scheme to defraud (Penal Law §190), computer fraud, or identity theft. Penalties range from misdemeanors to Class B felonies with potential prison sentences of up to 25 years.
  • New Jersey: Theft by deception (N.J.S.A. §2C:20-4), computer-related crimes (N.J.S.A. §2C:20-29), and identity theft (N.J.S.A. §2C:21-17). Penalties can reach 5–10 years in prison and fines up to $150,000 for large-scale schemes.

Common Examples of Wire Fraud

  • Phishing emails or text scams
  • Online sales or auction fraud
  • Telemarketing schemes
  • Investment, securities, or stock manipulation fraud
  • Loan application fraud using electronic communications
  • Healthcare or insurance fraud submitted electronically
  • False online applications for government benefits

Collateral Consequences of a Wire Fraud Conviction

  • Permanent federal felony record
  • Restitution orders that can follow you for life
  • Professional license revocation (law, medicine, finance, accounting, etc.)
  • Immigration consequences for non-citizens, including deportation
  • Civil lawsuits from victims seeking damages

Defense Strategies

Wire fraud cases are often document-heavy and rely on electronic evidence. Common defenses may include:

  • Lack of intent to defraud (good faith or business dispute)
  • Contesting whether communications actually involved interstate commerce
  • Challenging the reliability or admissibility of electronic or digital evidence
  • Attacking unlawful searches, seizures, or electronic surveillance
  • Demonstrating insufficient evidence of a fraudulent scheme
  • Negotiating plea agreements or reduced charges when appropriate

Why Legal Representation Matters

Federal prosecutors — often working with agencies like the FBI, IRS, SEC, or U.S. Postal Inspection Service — dedicate massive resources to wire fraud cases. Without skilled representation, defendants risk being overwhelmed by the government’s evidence.

An experienced wire fraud defense attorney in New York, New Jersey, and federal court can protect your rights, challenge the prosecution’s case, and pursue every available strategy to secure the best outcome.