When federal agents start asking questions about wire fraud, most people assume someone must have lost money for charges to follow. That is not always true. We’ve defended clients across Florida who were charged under federal wire fraud statutes even when no one claimed financial harm. The reality is, the law allows the government to file serious charges based on alleged intent, even if no dollar changed hands.

We want to be upfront with you—wire fraud charges are federal felonies. They’re handled in United States District Courts by federal prosecutors with major resources behind them. If you're being investigated or have already been charged, you cannot afford to wait or rely on a public defender to navigate the complexities of these cases. You need a private attorney who understands how federal courts work, what the prosecution must prove, and how to build a defense that protects your future.

What Is Federal Wire Fraud?

Federal wire fraud is covered by 18 U.S. Code § 1343. This law makes it a crime to use any form of interstate wire communication—phone, email, fax, or text—to attempt to defraud someone of money, property, or honest services.

Here’s what the statute says:

“Whoever, having devised or intending to devise any scheme or artifice to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses… transmits by means of wire, radio, or television communication in interstate or foreign commerce, any writings, signs, signals, pictures, or sounds for the purpose of executing such scheme… shall be fined or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.”

If the wire fraud scheme involves a financial institution or occurs in connection with a major disaster or emergency, the penalty can rise to 30 years in prison.

The law does not require that someone lose money. It only requires the government to prove:

  • You intended to commit fraud,

  • You used wire communications as part of the scheme,

  • And the scheme had the potential to deprive someone of money, property, or services.

Intent is the key issue. That means even if no victim exists or no financial loss occurred, federal prosecutors may still bring charges. We see this often in business disputes, government contract issues, and early-stage fraud investigations where agents believe there was an effort to defraud—even if the deal never closed.

Why You Need a Private Attorney Immediately

Wire fraud is rarely a stand-alone charge. It’s often linked to other federal crimes like:

  • Mail fraud

  • Money laundering

  • Conspiracy

  • Securities fraud

  • Healthcare fraud

  • Government benefit fraud

That’s why having a private defense attorney with federal courtroom experience is critical. We take over communication with agents, challenge the scope of the indictment, suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, and negotiate for dismissal or plea reductions where appropriate.

We also act quickly to stop additional charges from being added as the investigation unfolds. When you work with us, we’re not just defending you against one count, we’re looking at the entire federal playbook.

Real Case Example: Dismissed Wire Fraud Charges in Miami Federal Court

We represented a South Florida man accused of wire fraud related to an investment pitch sent by email to a group of investors. Federal agents claimed he misled them about how the funds would be used, even though no one wired any money and no accounts changed hands.

Our client had a legitimate business plan. The emails were early-stage outreach. No agreement had been reached, and there were no victims. We argued the intent element was missing. After reviewing the digital evidence and deposing witnesses, we filed a motion to dismiss the indictment based on lack of material misrepresentation and failure to meet the threshold of fraud.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office dropped the charges before trial. Our client avoided a federal conviction and kept his business intact. Without private representation, the pressure to accept a plea deal—even for a crime that wasn’t committed—would’ve been enormous.

What If No One Lost Money?

You can still be charged.

The government only needs to allege that you intended to defraud. If the plan was in place, and you used a wire to help carry it out—even if no money changed hands—you could be looking at federal charges.

Examples include:

  • Sending a promotional email with false claims

  • Texting a potential investor using misleading figures

  • Transmitting fake invoices to create paper trails for a loan

  • Emailing a false resume for a high-clearance federal contract

These can all trigger wire fraud investigations. Even if the target never acted on the message or never lost money, the alleged deception and use of a wire is often enough to bring charges.

Possible Defenses to Wire Fraud Charges in Florida

We analyze every case based on its facts. Not every wire communication is criminal, and not every mistake is fraud. Here are defenses that may apply:

  • Lack of Intent
    You must have intentionally tried to defraud someone. Honest mistakes, miscommunication, or bad business deals are not crimes.

  • No Use of Wires in Interstate Commerce
    The statute requires that a wire transmission crossed state lines. If the communication stayed within Florida and didn’t involve a federal element, the statute may not apply.

  • No Scheme to Defraud
    If your business model was legitimate and the government is mischaracterizing your actions, we can challenge whether any fraudulent scheme ever existed.

  • Entrapment or Government Misconduct
    If agents pressured you into a scheme or manipulated evidence, those facts could be grounds for dismissal.

  • Vagueness or Overbreadth of the Indictment
    Sometimes indictments fail to specify exactly what the fraudulent conduct was. We challenge these vague charges aggressively.

We tailor your defense strategy to your case. We also consider other options like:

  • Deferred prosecution agreements

  • Pretrial diversion programs

  • Sentencing reductions under §3553(a) factors

  • Mental health or substance abuse considerations

You’re not just fighting a case. You’re fighting for your reputation, your career, and your freedom. Federal prosecutors will not go easy because there were no losses. They want convictions. That’s why we fight harder.

Other Federal Statutes That May Be Charged With Wire Fraud

Wire fraud is often part of a larger federal case. You may also see charges under:

  • 18 U.S.C. § 371 – Conspiracy to Commit Offense or Defraud the United States

  • 18 U.S.C. § 1956 – Money Laundering

  • 18 U.S.C. § 1341 – Mail Fraud

  • 18 U.S.C. § 1347 – Healthcare Fraud

  • 18 U.S.C. § 1001 – False Statements

Each charge carries separate penalties and sentencing guidelines. The more counts you face, the greater the potential prison time. This is where an experienced private attorney makes the difference. We work to eliminate companion charges early and limit exposure.

Penalties for Wire Fraud in Federal Court

If convicted, penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1343 can include:

  • Up to 20 years in federal prison

  • Fines up to $250,000 for individuals

  • Fines up to $500,000 for organizations

  • Supervised release

  • Restitution, even in cases with no actual loss

  • Permanent federal felony record

If the fraud involves a financial institution, disaster relief, or public emergency funds, the penalty increases to:

  • Up to 30 years in prison

  • Up to $1 million in fines

Federal sentencing guidelines will also consider “intended loss” and other enhancements. These are aggressive prosecutions. The earlier you get us involved, the more we can do to fight back.

Florida Federal Wire Fraud Defense Lawyer – Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be charged with wire fraud if the deal never went through?
Yes. Even if no contract was signed or money exchanged hands, if the government believes you used a wire communication to support a fraudulent scheme, they can bring charges. It all comes down to intent and the use of electronic communication.

Does it matter if the email or text never got read?
No. Under federal law, the act of sending the message is often enough. It’s the transmission—not whether the recipient saw it—that satisfies the wire fraud statute. However, this can be used in our defense to show lack of harm or intent.

What if I was just following my employer’s instructions?
We’ve handled cases where employees were charged for executing company strategies they didn’t fully understand. If you were following directions and lacked intent, that can be a powerful defense. We can also raise corporate responsibility issues.

Can I negotiate a reduced charge in federal court?
Yes, but timing is critical. Federal prosecutors may offer plea agreements early in the case. However, those deals are rarely favorable unless your attorney knows how to counter their evidence and push back. We handle all plea negotiations from a position of strength.

Will I automatically go to prison if convicted?
Not always. Federal judges have discretion. We work to lower guideline ranges, argue for non-custodial sentences, and present personal mitigation factors. In many cases, especially where no loss occurred, we’ve secured probation or time-served outcomes.

Can wire fraud charges be dismissed before trial?
Yes, under the right circumstances. We’ve filed motions to dismiss based on lack of specific intent, improper charging, or insufficient evidence. Dismissal is rare in federal court but possible when the government’s case lacks substance.

Is wire fraud always a federal case or can it be state?
Wire fraud under §1343 is federal. However, Florida has similar state fraud statutes. Sometimes state prosecutors defer to the feds due to resources or jurisdiction. Other times both pursue parallel charges. We defend in both arenas.

Do I have to talk to the FBI if they contact me?
No. In fact, you should never speak to federal agents without your attorney present. Anything you say can and will be used against you—even if you’re innocent. Let us handle communications. We protect your rights from the start.

What should I do if I get a target letter?
Call us immediately. A target letter means federal prosecutors are actively preparing a case against you. We can intervene early to challenge the case, negotiate a favorable resolution, or prepare your defense before charges are filed.

How soon should I hire a private attorney?
Immediately. Federal prosecutors work fast. Delay helps them, not you. A private defense attorney levels the playing field and builds the strongest defense from day one. Every day you wait gives the government an advantage.

Call A Florida Federal Wire Fraud Defense Lawyer Today

If you’ve been contacted by federal agents, received a target letter, or already been indicted for wire fraud, even if no one lost money, your future is on the line. Do not wait to see what happens. Federal charges do not go away on their own.

Private representation gives you control, strategy, and a voice in a system designed to convict. We’ve defended wire fraud cases in every federal district in Florida and have the courtroom experience needed to get results.

Contact Musca Law 24/7/365 at 1-888-484-5057 For Your FREE Consultation

Musca Law, P.A. has a team of experienced criminal defense attorneys dedicated to defending people charged with a criminal or traffic offense. We are available 24/7/365 at 1-888-484-5057 for your FREE consultation. We have 35 office locations throughout the state of Florida and serve all counties in Florida, including Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Hialeah, Port St. Lucie, Cape Coral, Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale, the Florida Panhandle, and every county in Florida.