Wire fraud is a federal offense that can land you in serious legal trouble — even if the alleged scheme never involved a penny. If you’re under investigation or have been charged with wire fraud in Florida, it’s critical to understand what it means, how it’s proven, and what defenses may apply.
This post breaks down the charge, the penalties, and how we defend clients in Fort Lauderdale and throughout South Florida.
⚖️ What Is Wire Fraud?
Wire fraud is defined under 18 U.S. Code § 1343 as using electronic communication (e.g., phone, email, internet, or wire transfer) to:
Intentionally deceive someone,
In order to obtain money, property, or services, or
Further a fraudulent scheme
To convict you, federal prosecutors must prove four elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
A scheme to defraud
Intent to defraud
Use of interstate wires (internet, phone, text, bank transfers, etc.)
A connection between the wire and the scheme
💡 Examples of Wire Fraud
Wire fraud is extremely broad and can apply to:
Email phishing or business email compromise (BEC)
Romance or sweepstakes scams
Online investment fraud
Fraudulent PPP or COVID-19 relief loan applications
Wire transfers from spoofed accounts
False representations in e-commerce transactions
Fake real estate closings or title scams
You can be charged even if you never profited — the attempt alone may be enough.
⚠️ Penalties for Wire Fraud
Wire fraud is typically charged as a federal felonypunishable by:
Up to 20 years in prison
Up to $250,000 in fines per count (individuals)
Up to $500,000 per count (corporations)
Asset forfeiture
Restitution to victims
If the fraud involves a federal disaster, bank, or financial institution, the max sentence increases to 30 years and $1 million in fines.
Because each communication can be a separate count, defendants often face multiple charges for a single scheme.
🕵️♂️ How Federal Prosecutors Build a Case
Wire fraud cases are often investigated by:
The FBI
U.S. Secret Service
IRS-Criminal Investigations
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Prosecutors build cases using:
Subpoenaed emails, texts, and financial records
Bank wire logs and IP addresses
Witness interviews
Undercover agents or sting operations
Often, the key issue is intent — were you actively trying to defraud someone?
🛡️ Legal Defenses to Wire Fraud Charges
We have successfully defended clients in Florida federal courts using strategies such as:
Lack of intent to defraud
Good faith reliance on others (accountants, partners)
Insufficient evidence of a scheme or misrepresentation
Illegal search or seizure (4th Amendment violations)
Entrapment by government agents
Mistaken identity or forged communications
📍 Fort Lauderdale Federal Wire Fraud Defense
South Florida is one of the most heavily prosecuted regions for federal white-collar crimes, including wire fraud. Whether your case involves a loan, crypto transaction, or alleged business scam, the government has vast resources to investigate and prosecute.
At Michael White, P.A., we level the playing field. We defend aggressively — often getting charges reduced or dismissed before trial.
📞 Call now to schedule a confidential case review.
🙋♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is wire fraud a state or federal charge?
Wire fraud is almost always prosecuted in federal court, not state court.
❓ Can I be charged with wire fraud if no one lost money?
Yes. Attempting to defraud through electronic communication is enough.
❓ What does “interstate wire” mean?
It refers to phone, email, text, internet, or bank communications that cross state lines.
❓ Can one email really lead to a 20-year felony?
Yes. Each wire communication can be charged as a separate count.
❓ Can wire fraud be sealed or expunged?
No. Federal convictions cannot be sealed or expunged, even for first-time offenders