Individuals who are convicted of online fraud – including identity theft or hacking into a computer for fraudulent transactions — face felony charges, steep penalties and up to 20 years in prison. Jeffery King is a veteran criminal defense lawyer in Dallas with a strong background in computer and Internet fraud. When facing a computer fraud charge, you need an aggressive, meticulous lawyer who can spot weaknesses in evidentiary findings, helping clients make informed decisions on whether to pursue a plea agreement or take the case to trial.
Don’t let a false conviction ruin your career prospects or life – choose a competent, proven defense attorney to protect your rights.
Thanks to an increasing reliance on computers for shopping, paying bills and managing bank and credit card payments, Internet fraud has escalated dramatically, sparking concern for both law enforcement officials and civilians. From phishing scams promising low-interest loans to credit card theft, computer fraud is a federal crime under 18 U.S. Code § 1030.
Computer fraud – a term which is used interchangeably with Internet fraud — is defined as use of the Internet or online software to take advantage of or defraud victims. Suspects may be convicted of computer fraud if they utilized a computer system for the purposes of:
After witnessing a noticeable spike in computer crimes, Congress passed the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in 1986. Under provisions set forth in 18 U.S. Code Section 1030, authorities can prosecute a range of illicit activities that are conducted through chat rooms, websites, e-mail, social media and message boards.
Internet fraud and online schemes steal millions of dollars from innocent victims every year. The following are some of the most common examples of online fraud, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation:
It is a federal crime to use the Internet to steal sensitive data from a secure, private computer network. This includes hacking into a non-public computer for the theft of top secret information (gleaned from government sites), theft of intellectual property or corporate trade secrets, as well as the illegal replication of movies, video games and music that are copyrighted.
In the context of computer fraud, theft of service is a rampant problem wherein computer hackers obtain free access to paid websites or connections without paying fees. Hackers are unauthorized users who illegally break into computer systems in order to steal information, destroy data or install dangerous malware.
Under Texas law CSHB 896, residents can be convicted of computer crimes if they have knowingly accessed a computer, system or network “with the intent to defraud or harm another or alter, damage, or delete property.”
Internet fraud offenses can bring about civil and criminal charges, brought by the individual or entities that were injured or deceived. The U.S. government has established several key task forces to combat online crimes, including the National Cybercrime Training Partnership (NCTP), which trains state and local law enforcement officials on the varied nuances of computer crimes.
Punishments for Internet fraud in Texas and around the nation are meant to be severe. A conviction for identity theft can carry a 15-year prison sentence and thousands of dollars in fines.
When facing allegations of computer crimes, it is wise to align yourself with an experienced Internet fraud lawyer who can perform a meticulous evaluation of evidence and develop strategies to defend false accusations. Using his prior experience as a prosecuting attorney, Jeff King can secure favorable results in the most challenging of cases.
We handle online fraud and computer crime cases throughout the greater Dallas metro area. To schedule a free consultation at the Law Office of Jeffery King, please call 469-399-7001.