Credit card fraud is an increasingly consequential problem, partly because of the prevalence of online activity that fuels this kind of misconduct. This complex white-collar crime can encompass a variety of actions, from physically stealing a card to digitally hijacking card information. At its core, credit card fraud involves the unauthorized use of a credit card to make purchases or withdraw funds. Defense strategies utilized in response to credit card fraud allegations may vary significantly based on whether the accused is charged with physically stealing a card, using stolen card informati ..read more

Thousands of people each year are charged with various white-collar crimes in New York, with forgery being one of them. The popular conception of forgery might be falsified artwork or antiquities, but the crime is usually far more mundane. Forgery is creating a false document, making illicit alterations to an existing document, or making an unauthorized signature. There are several nuances to understand, as white-collar crimes can often be more confusing than other types of illegal behavior. What constitutes forgery? One of the most fundamental elements in forgery is intent. For an act to rise ..read more

Several computer and internet activities are criminalized under New York Penal Code Article 156. This state law classifies most cyber crimes as computer tampering, criminal possession of computer-related material, unlawful duplication of computer-related material, computer trespass or unauthorized use of a computer. The state defines a computer as one or more devices that automatically perform logical, arithmetic, retrieval or storage operations by computing data. Additionally, crimes like identity theft and fraud are often perpetrated online. Cyber crimes in New York Unauthorized use of a com ..read more

New York congressman George Santos has been indicted on a raft of federal charges that could put him behind bars for decades. A 13-count indictment was unsealed on May 10 when Santos appeared in a Suffolk County district court. He faces one count of stealing public funds, two counts of making false statements to the U.S. House of Representatives, three counts of money laundering and seven counts of wire fraud. After posting a $500,000 bond, the beleaguered lawmaker vowed not to resign. He is scheduled to appear in court again on June 30. Investigations The Nassau County District Attorney’s Off ..read more

A Ponzi scheme is a fraud that lures New York investors by promising high returns with little or no risk. Named after Charles Ponzi, who became famous for using the scheme in the 1920s, a Ponzi scheme generates returns for older investors and promoters by acquiring new investors. This new investment acquisition stops when there are no more new investors, at which point the scheme collapses. It often leaves the last group of investors with heavy losses. Common elements of a Ponzi scheme Ponzi schemes share several common features as follows: They promise little to no risk and only high returns ..read more

News reports about highly publicized cases involving embezzlement and other crimes may note the defendant also faces charges of wire fraud. A guilty verdict on any counts of wire fraud might result in the accused looking at harsh sentencing in a New York federal courtroom. Those concerned about a possible indictment would likely wonder what constitutes credible wire fraud charges. Wire fraud Understanding wire fraud charges involve defining the two different words. As many realize, fraud consists of deception or misrepresentation for monetary or another illicit gain. Wire centers on using any ..read more

Generally speaking, the white-collar crime of racketeering refers to criminal acts that are part of a larger scheme, or racket, designed to generate illegal profits. In New York, racketeering is made illegal by statute. It may also be prosecuted under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Racketeering charges are often brought in addition to charges for a more specific criminal act. For example, a person might be charged with extortion and racketeering if the extortion is alleged to be part of a larger criminal scheme. Types of racketeering crimes The RICO stat ..read more

A United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York made an October 2022 announcement about a pending embezzlement case. Allegedly, an executive with a children’s charity illegally appropriated the organization’s money for personal expenses. Embezzlement allegations According to the criminal complaint, the former executive director of a not-for-profit New York City-based children’s charity had embezzled funds from 2018 to 2021. The complaint alleges the former executive misappropriated $98,000 in charity funds. The report issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges the accused with ..read more

Would-be customers in New York might find particular marketing pitches appealing. Unfortunately, some may need to realize a marketing deal could be an outright scam. Sometimes, a deceptive scheme could leave the victims losing significant money. Being alert to the typical games marketing scammers attempt may help people avoid suffering any losses. Marketing schemes and games Among the most common marketing scam that dishonest tricksters pull involves bait-and-switch plans. A seller could ask for payment in advance for an item to ship to the buyer. However, no such product exists, or the item i ..read more

If you want to engage in the highs and lows of the stock market, New York certainly provides ample opportunity and plenty of people willing to give advice. Both the state and federal government have enacted a number of laws designed to protect potential investors from unfair trading practices. One of the most commonly violated trading laws forbids naked short selling. What is short selling? Short selling involves trading or investment strategies based on speculation about a decline in stock or security. When investors engage in short selling, they attempt to profit through the stock’s decline ..read more