San Diego Wire Fraud Attorney - LAWSTACHE LAW FIRM

Facing federal wire fraud charges in San Diego? Attorney Anton Vialtsin at LAWSTACHE Law Firm defends clients against wire fraud and related federal fraud charges in the Southern District of California. Call 619-357-6677 for a free consultation.

San Diego Wire Fraud Attorney — 18 USC 1343 Defense

Federal wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343 is one of the most broadly applied federal criminal statutes. Because virtually any modern business transaction involves electronic communications, prosecutors use wire fraud to charge a wide range of conduct — from sophisticated investment schemes to misrepresentations made by email.

Furthermore, each individual wire communication can be charged as a separate count. Therefore, a case involving many emails or wire transfers can result in many counts — creating enormous cumulative sentencing exposure. An experienced San Diego federal defense attorney is essential from the moment you learn you are under investigation.

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What the Government Must Prove for Wire Fraud

To secure a wire fraud conviction, federal prosecutors must prove four elements beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, attacking any one of these elements can result in acquittal or dismissal.

The Four Elements of Wire Fraud

1. A scheme to defraud: A plan to obtain money or property by false or fraudulent pretenses
2. Intent to defraud: The defendant knowingly and intentionally participated in the scheme
3. Use of wire communications: A phone call, email, text message, or wire transfer in interstate or foreign commerce
4. In furtherance of the scheme: The wire communication was used to advance the fraudulent scheme

Good Faith — A Complete Defense

If a defendant genuinely believed their representations were true — even if they turned out to be false — good faith is a complete defense to wire fraud. Furthermore, the government must prove specific intent to defraud, not merely that the defendant made a mistake or poor business decision. Anton Vialtsin builds good faith defenses aggressively when the evidence supports it.

Common Wire Fraud Cases We Defend

Business email compromise (BEC) fraud
Investment and securities fraud
COVID-19 relief fraud (PPP loan, EIDL)
Real estate wire fraud
Healthcare fraud involving electronic billing
Mortgage fraud
Bank fraud (18 USC 1344) — frequently charged alongside wire fraud

Wire fraud is frequently charged alongside other federal crimes. In addition to the wire fraud counts, defendants often face:

Money laundering (18 USC 1956)
RICO (18 USC 1962)
Mail fraud (18 USC 1341)
Bank fraud (18 USC 1344)

See our main San Diego Federal Criminal Defense page for more information.

Free Consultation — San Diego Wire Fraud Defense

Call 619-357-6677 to speak directly with federal defense attorney Anton Vialtsin. Free consultation — weekdays and weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions — Wire Fraud San Diego

What is federal wire fraud under 18 USC 1343?

Wire fraud is the use of electronic communications — email, phone, text, or wire transfers — to execute a scheme to defraud. Because each wire communication can be charged as a separate count, the cumulative exposure in these cases can be significant.

What does the government need to prove for wire fraud?

Prosecutors must prove a scheme to defraud, intent to defraud, use of wire communications in interstate commerce, and that the communication was in furtherance of the scheme. Good faith is a complete defense.

Can each email be a separate wire fraud count?

Yes. Each individual wire communication used in furtherance of the scheme can be charged as a separate count — making experienced federal defense critical from the earliest stage of investigation.

What is the difference between wire fraud and mail fraud?

Wire fraud (18 USC 1343) involves electronic communications. Mail fraud (18 USC 1341) involves the U.S. postal service. They carry the same penalties and are frequently charged together when both methods were used.

Our Office — San Diego Wire Fraud Defense

Address: 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-357-6677
Hours: Weekdays and weekends by appointment.

Call Now: 619-357-6677