Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Wire fraud is when someone uses phone or internet wires to do something illegal. To be guilty of wire fraud, a person must have planned to trick someone, lied or left out important information, caused someone to lose money or property, and used phone or internet wires to do it. It's like cheating someone over the phone or internet.
Wire fraud is a type of crime that involves using electronic communication, such as phone calls, emails, or text messages, to deceive someone and steal their money or property. In order for someone to be convicted of wire fraud, several things must be proven:
For example, imagine someone sends an email to a group of people claiming to be a representative of a charity and asking for donations. The email includes a link to a fake website where people can enter their credit card information. The person who sent the email has committed wire fraud because they used electronic communication to deceive people and steal their money.
Another example could be someone calling an elderly person and pretending to be their grandchild in trouble. They ask for money to be wired to them immediately. The elderly person wires the money, but later finds out it was a scam. The person who made the phone call has committed wire fraud because they used electronic communication to deceive the elderly person and steal their money.
WIPO Copyright and Performances and Phonograms Treaties Implementation Act | wiretap