Conspiracy To Commit Wire Fraud

A conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge is very serious. This is true, even if you are not a criminal and you are not guilty of what you are being accused of.

Understanding what it means to be accused of conspiring to commit wire fraud and speaking with a Chicago fraud defense attorney who can help you will allow you to obtain the best possible legal outcome.

What Is A Conspiracy To Commit Wire Fraud?

A conspiracy is an agreement between two people – or more, for that matter – to commit an illegal act while also intending to achieve the goal of their agreement.

Just as an example, if three people agree to transport illegal drugs so that they can obtain money, then that would be a conspiracy to transport illegal drugs.

A conspiracy to commit wire fraud is an agreement between two – or more – people to commit wire fraud, followed by an act that furthers this conspiracy. With that in mind, wire fraud is when interstate money wirings are used to further a criminal act, which, in this context, would be to defraud.

Regarding the above, one example of wire fraud is creating a fake online store with fake listings and then taking the money obtained from those purchases but never actually delivering the items.

If someone is accused of conducting the act outlined above – or an act similar to that one – they are being accused of committing wire fraud.

On the other hand, if someone is accused of conspiring to conduct the act outlined above – or, again, some other related act – then they are being accused of conspiring to commit wire fraud.

No matter what the accusation happens to be – wire fraud or conspiracy to commit wire fraud – the consequences are always very serious and, as such, must be taken seriously. 

What Happens If You Are Charged With Conspiracy To Commit Wire Fraud?

On the federal level, being charged with a conspiracy to commit wire fraud comes with a number of very serious consequences. And with that in mind, these serious consequences are as follows:

• A prison sentence of up to twenty years or more.
• A fine of up to $250,000 per count as well as possibly paying the profit or loss attributed to the conspiracy.

The reason these consequences are so serious, even if wire fraud never actually occurred and merely existed as a conspiracy, is as follows: someone who conspires to commit wire fraud is subject to the same consequences that would occur if the intended act of wire fraud was successful.

How Can You Defend Yourself?

You must work with a lawyer to defend yourself. And, in doing so, you can employ the following defenses:

• You never agreed to commit wire fraud.
• You never took action on the alleged agreement.
• You were coerced into agreeing to commit wire fraud.
• You were framed to appear as if you agreed to commit wire fraud.
• The evidence regarding your case was illegally obtained.
• The evidence regarding your case was mishandled.

Other defenses can be employed, however, the above can help you protect your innocence.

Get The Legal Help You Need

You are not a criminal, and you have not done anything wrong. Even though this is the case, the legal system will treat you like one if you are accused of conspiring to commit wire fraud.

If you need representation for a criminal charge in Cook County, Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help you. 

When you need an attorney, experience matters. 

Contact a Chicago criminal defense attorney today to learn how our experience can get you the results you deserve.