Mail Fraud is a Federal crime or offense, and is committed when a person uses the United States Postal Service to carry out a scheme to defraud someone else. A New York Mail Fraud Lawyer can explain that Mail Fraud is a felony offense that generally carries a harsh penalty, including prison sentences and fines. Often when the District Attorney in New York City, in Westchester, and on Long Island in Nassau County or Suffolk County is investigating other business-related fraud charges—such as, Insurance Fraud various types of Tax Fraud, Securities Fraud or Credit Card Fraud, —they might find that a federal charge of Mail Fraud is also warranted. (See New York Federal Criminal Lawyer as well for more details)

A U.S. Postal Inspector will investigate any crime which involves the U.S. Mail. Any time the fraud involves the U.S. Mail, the Internet, or other forms of wire communications, an individual can be charged with Mail Fraud or Wire Fraud. A person can be found guilty of Mail Fraud if it is proved that they knowingly planned a scheme to obtain money or property by false pretenses, and if the person used the U.S. Postal Service to mail something for the purposes of carrying out the scheme. The use of the U.S. Mail is what makes it Mail Fraud—regardless of whether the scheme originated by the mail or by other means (such as online or by phone). If evidence of Mail Fraud exists, the Postal Inspector may seek prosecution.

In the current economic environment, the Office of the District Attorney throughout NYC, Westchester, and Long Island including Nassau County and Suffolk County has been spending more time than ever pursuing all types of White Collar Crime, including all types of business fraud. According to 18 U.S.C. § 1341: US Code - Section 1341, if you are convicted of Mail Fraud and it involved a financial institution such as a bank, the length of prison terms and amount of fines can be even greater.

As New York Mail Fraud Lawyers, we advise you that, especially because the penalties can be severe, it is crucial to be sure you have an experienced New York Mail Fraud Lawyer to represent you if you have been charged with Mail Fraud. Stephen Bilkis & Associates has knowledgeable Mail Fraud Defense Lawyers who can offer you a consultation for free. Contact us at 1-800-NY-NY-Law to set up a meeting in one of our office locations—in New York City (in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island), in Westchester, or on Long Island in Nassau County and Suffolk County.