Protecting Your Rights Starts Now – Advice From a Florida Federal Wire Fraud Defense Lawyer

If you receive a call or knock on the door from federal agents asking questions about wire fraud, your next steps could determine your future. At Musca Law, we defend individuals across Florida who are facing serious accusations under federal law, including wire fraud charges brought by the FBI, DEA, IRS, or U.S. Attorney’s Office. Wire fraud is one of the most common federal charges in Florida, and it can carry severe penalties. If you’ve been contacted by investigators, that often means they already have a substantial amount of information. Anything you say to them can and will be used against you.

You have the right to remain silent. And more importantly, you have the right to a private attorney who can intervene immediately. Don’t assume that cooperation will make the case go away. In many wire fraud cases, those who talk without a lawyer end up providing federal agents with evidence they didn’t already have.

Our Florida federal criminal defense team has helped clients shut down investigations before formal charges were filed. We’ve also fought wire fraud cases all the way through trial and won. If agents show up at your door or leave a card asking you to call, here’s what you need to know.

What Is Wire Fraud? (Statute and Summary)

Wire fraud is governed by 18 U.S.C. §1343, a broad federal statute that prosecutors often use to charge people with fraud involving the internet, text messages, phone calls, emails, or other forms of electronic communication.

Statutory Text - 18 U.S.C. §1343:
“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, representations, or promises, transmits or causes to be transmitted 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 or artifice, shall be fined or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.”

In simple terms, wire fraud means using any electronic device to further a fraudulent scheme. If the fraud impacts a financial institution or involves federal disaster relief, the penalties increase.

Wire Fraud Penalties Include:

  • Up to 20 years in federal prison,

  • Up to 30 years if the fraud affects a financial institution or disaster relief funds,

  • Heavy fines,

  • Seizure of assets or forfeiture,

  • Restitution to victims,

  • A permanent federal felony record.

Every single email, text, or phone call related to the alleged fraud can be charged as a separate count. That’s why the prison time can add up quickly. Having the right Florida federal wire fraud defense lawyer early in the process is critical.

What Should I Do If Federal Agents Contact Me?

If you’re approached by federal investigators in Florida about a wire fraud investigation, take the situation seriously. Here is what we tell every client:

  • Do not speak to agents without legal counsel. You have no obligation to answer questions. Politely say, “I would like to speak with my attorney first,” and stop talking.

  • Don’t lie. A false statement to a federal agent is a separate felony under 18 U.S.C. §1001.

  • Don’t destroy or delete anything. Deleting emails or data may result in obstruction of justice charges.

  • Call a private criminal defense attorney immediately. Not a public defender or court-appointed lawyer, but someone who can act fast to protect you.

We often intervene within hours. Sometimes we can speak to the prosecutor before charges are filed and present mitigating facts or evidence that puts things in context. Our goal is to avoid an indictment altogether, or at the very least, get charges reduced or dismissed.

Defenses to Wire Fraud Charges

There are several ways we attack wire fraud allegations depending on the facts of the case. Every case is unique, but some of the most common defense strategies include:

  • Lack of Intent to Defraud: The prosecution must prove you intended to deceive. Honest mistakes, failed ventures, or broken contracts are not crimes.

  • Insufficient Evidence: We challenge every document, statement, and electronic communication for reliability and admissibility.

  • No Material Misrepresentation: Not all misleading statements are criminal. The lie must be significant enough to influence the decision of the victim.

  • Entrapment or Government Misconduct: If undercover agents induced you to commit a crime you otherwise wouldn’t have committed, we can raise an entrapment defense.

  • Fourth and Fifth Amendment Violations: Illegal searches or coerced statements can result in suppression of evidence.

We know how to pick apart the government’s timeline, their interpretation of emails, and whether the alleged scheme rises to the level of fraud under the law.

Real Florida Wire Fraud Case We Won

We represented a Naples business owner who was accused of defrauding investors through a series of interstate wire transfers and misleading earnings reports. The federal agents had seized hard drives, phones, and bank records.

Our client contacted us within 24 hours of receiving a target letter. We immediately initiated communication with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, reviewed the warrant affidavits, and began our own forensic analysis. We discovered that the alleged losses were exaggerated and that key investors had received disclaimers about the speculative nature of the returns.

Using this evidence, we negotiated with the prosecutor, and after weeks of pressure, the government agreed to drop the felony wire fraud charges in exchange for a misdemeanor tax violation with no jail time. Our client kept his business, his professional licenses, and avoided a permanent felony record.

Why You Need a Florida Federal Wire Fraud Defense Lawyer Immediately

When the federal government targets you for wire fraud, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Federal agents spend months building their case before you even hear their name. Once they contact you, they already believe you committed a crime. You need someone on your side who understands how to:

  • Analyze large volumes of data and financial records,

  • Challenge digital evidence like metadata, IP logs, and server records,

  • Deal with Assistant U.S. Attorneys and federal judges,

  • Create and execute a strategy designed to end the case before indictment or win at trial.

Our firm is not a volume-based operation. We give each wire fraud case the full attention it deserves. And we know that your business, career, and reputation are on the line.

A public defender may not get involved until after charges are filed. By that time, it might be too late to negotiate a better outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Wire Fraud Charges in Florida

What is the statute of limitations for wire fraud in Florida?
Under 18 U.S.C. §3286, the standard statute of limitations for federal wire fraud is five years. However, if the alleged wire fraud affects a financial institution, the statute extends to 10 years. This means the federal government has a long window to investigate and file charges. We advise contacting a private Florida wire fraud attorney as soon as you learn you're under investigation, even if the alleged conduct happened years ago.

Can I be charged with wire fraud if I never received any money?
Yes. Under 18 U.S.C. §1343, the government doesn’t have to prove you made money, only that you intended to deceive someone and used electronic communications to do it. We often see people charged even when the fraudulent scheme failed or no money changed hands. That's why intent and communication are the key components to challenge.

Will I go to prison if I’m convicted of wire fraud in Florida?
Not necessarily. The federal sentencing guidelines consider multiple factors, including the amount of loss, your role in the offense, criminal history, and whether you accept responsibility. An experienced Florida federal wire fraud defense lawyer can argue for a downward departure, plea deal, or even dismissal depending on the circumstances.

What should I do if I receive a target letter about wire fraud?
A target letter means the U.S. Attorney's Office believes you are likely to be indicted. It is a serious warning. Do not speak to agents or call the prosecutor without your attorney. A target letter is often your last chance to intervene and potentially resolve the case before charges are filed. Call a private wire fraud defense lawyer immediately.

Can I be charged with multiple counts of wire fraud for the same scheme?
Yes. Every individual wire transmission (such as each email or transfer) used to further the scheme can be charged as a separate count under 18 U.S.C. §1343. This can lead to multiple charges and a potential stacking of sentences if convicted. A good defense strategy involves challenging the number of transmissions and whether they truly furthered the scheme.

Can wire fraud charges be dropped or reduced?
Absolutely. Many of our clients have had their charges reduced or dismissed altogether. If we can show lack of intent, dispute the amount of loss, or highlight flaws in the government’s investigation, we can often negotiate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office before trial. Early intervention is key. The sooner you call us, the better chance we have of shaping the outcome.

What are the differences between state and federal fraud charges?
State fraud typically involves smaller schemes or individual victims. Federal wire fraud charges, by contrast, involve interstate communications or federal jurisdictions. Federal cases are investigated by agencies like the FBI and prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys. Federal sentencing is more severe, and the rules of procedure are stricter. That’s why having a defense lawyer experienced in federal court is essential.

What if I deleted emails or texts before being contacted by the feds?
If investigators discover that you deleted messages after learning about the investigation, you could face obstruction of justice charges. However, deletion before knowing you were under investigation is not automatically a crime. We carefully assess the timeline and may be able to explain the deletions as routine data management. Never delete anything once you suspect you're under investigation.

How much does it cost to hire a wire fraud defense attorney in Florida?
Costs vary depending on the complexity of the case, how far the case proceeds (investigation vs. indictment vs. trial), and the amount of evidence involved. At Musca Law, we offer flexible retainers and transparent billing. The cost of an experienced defense is far less than the cost of a conviction.

Contact a Florida Federal Wire Fraud Defense Lawyer Now

If you’re being contacted by federal agents about wire fraud, you need to protect yourself. Musca Law has a statewide team of dedicated defense attorneys who know how to fight back against wire fraud allegations in federal court. We understand how the U.S. Attorney’s Office builds these cases, and we know how to dismantle them.

Do not speak with investigators without a lawyer. Let us protect your rights, your record, and your future.

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.