Miami Mass-Marketing Fraud Lawyer

Local Mass-Marketing Fraud Attorney in Miami, FL

Fraud schemes that involve the use of at least one mass communication method can lead to charges of mass-marketing fraud. Mass-marketing fraud is aggressively prosecuted by the federal government, so if you are currently being investigated for involvement in a large-scale fraud-related scheme, it is crucial to retain a skilled white collar crime attorney in Miami who can help protect your interests.

What Qualifies as Mass-Marketing Fraud?

To be convicted of mass-marketing fraud, a person must have been involved in a fraud-based scheme where mass communication methods were used.

This could include:

• The Internet;
• Phones;
• The mail; or
• In-person meetings.

In order to be convicted, a person must have used one or more of these means of communication to:

• Fraudulently solicit prospective victims;
• Complete fraudulent transactions;
• Transfer proceeds to financial institutions; or
• Transfer fraud-related proceeds to others who are connected with the scheme.

Generally, mass-marketing fraud falls under one of two main categories:

• Schemes that involve defrauding a large number of victims, each of whom provides a relatively small sum of money; and
• Schemes that target fewer victims who provide much larger amounts of money.

Types of Mass-Marketing Schemes

Some of the most aggressively prosecuted types of mass-marketing schemes are known as advance-fee fraud schemes and involve offers of cash prizes, lottery winnings, or other items of value to prospective customers. However, in order to receive these benefits, the customer must pay an advance fee or a series of fees. Unfortunately, in their zeal to prosecute those who perpetrate these types of frauds, the FBI and other investigative agencies often charge those who are legitimately running a business, which can have devastating consequences for the accused’s finances and personal life.

Bank and financial account schemes also often involve the use of mass-marketing techniques as a means of obtaining bank information from unsuspecting victims in order to siphon funds from their accounts. These types of schemes also often involve identity theft.

The third most common source of mass-marketing fraud prosecutions is investment opportunity schemes. These schemes involve direct solicitation of prospective investors, usually via phone or email. In some cases, the solicitor will fail to invest the customer’s funds as promised, while others require the investor to recruit additional investors in order to reap a reward. Unfortunately, many of those who are investigated for and charged with mass-marketing fraud were not even aware that their conduct was illegal. It is especially important for these individuals to contact a skilled white collar crime attorney in Miami who may be able to help get their charges reduced or even dismissed.