If you or a loved one is under investigation for, or was arrested on, federal charges related to a mass marketing fraud scheme, it is essential to contact a federal crimes attorney experienced in mass marketing fraud. The federal criminal defense lawyers at Grabel & Associates boast decades of experience in U.S. District Courts, and we ensure a no-stones-left-unturned, aggressive defense. Fight for your freedom today with the leading criminal defense attorneys at Grabel & Associates by dialing 1-800-342-7896.
With the growth of the internet came new methods of mass marketing fraud. In short, this type of fraud exploits telecommunications and other forms of mass communications to reach and spam thousands of individuals. Today, the internet is the tool of choice among fraudsters, as they’re able to reach millions of individuals all across the globe using spam e-mails, fake websites, and other methods. And even though you may receive hundreds of spam emails a week, mass marketing fraud becomes a federal crime when fraudsters try to get you to hand over money or personal information for the promise of future prizes, products, or services that never come.
According to several surveys, the annual total losses resulting from mass-marketing fraud may reach tens of billions of U.S. dollars worldwide. To better protect consumers, several federal agencies relentlessly pursue fraudsters, including the FBI, Immigration and Customers Enforcement, the Federal Trade Service, and even the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. These federal agencies, unrestricted by local jurisdictions, are able to use a wide array of resources and investigative techniques to charge alleged offenders, and because this is a federal crime, convicted offenders face years in prison.
As we mentioned above, mass marketing fraud involves fraudulent solicitation to vast numbers of potential victims, and fraudsters are successful due to the sheer numbers of potential victims they contact. Some of the most common schemes used today include:
According to the federal fraud laws (18 U.S.C. § 1001), mass marketing fraud becomes a federal offense when it involves interstate or international commerce. Some specific federal crimes include:
Other types of mass marketing fraud can involve:
A conviction for any of these financially-related offenses can involve up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million.
It is important to note that federal investigations are not like other investigations, such as when your local law enforcement conducts a criminal investigation. Generally, if you or a loved one is under investigation for mass marketing fraud, your first contact with federal agents will come in the form of an unannounced visit to your home or place of business. These agents are trained to ask questions in an attempt to get you to incriminate yourself.
Never lie to federal investigators (Martha Stewart wasn’t convicted of securities fraud; instead, she was charged, in part, with making false statements to federal investigators). However, once you know you’re under investigation, it is essential to contact your federal crimes criminal defense attorney. Under investigation, you have the right to remain silent and you have the right to an attorney; use these rights! In the pre-file stage of the case, your attorney can act as your spokesperson to the investigators, and, at Grabel & Associates, we’ll do everything under the law to mitigate the charges before they’re even filed.
Being under investigation or arrest for mass marketing fraud can be a terrifying experience, especially since federal prosecutors push for substantially higher prison sentences for convicted individuals (compared with state authorities). Nonetheless, a criminal defense attorney will be your most powerful asset in protecting your freedom. At Grabel & Associates, our principal goal is to challenge the prosecution’s narrative and evidence at every stage of the criminal proceedings, and we’ll diligently and tirelessly search out evidence that proves our side of the case. We’ll also work with you, one-on-one, to make sure that you’re informed and involved every step of the way.
For a free consultation with the federal crimes attorneys at Grabel & Associates, contact our law office today by dialing 1-800-342-7896. Emergency consultations are available 24/7.