How to Fight Cybercrime Charges March 16, 2022
The World of Cybercrimes
Our world has become exponentially more digital in the past three decades, and our lives have become ever more intertwined with the internet and the cyberworld. With this rapid expansion of the internet, we are also seeing an increase in the number of cybercrimes investigated and prosecuted by the government.
A Cybercrime is any crime that involves the use of a computer or the internet to facilitate criminal activities. Whether a crime is committed entirely through the use of the internet or a digital device, or the crime was accompanied by such means, the government can bring cybercrime charges against you.
Considering the entire country has been stuck at home in front of their computers for the past two years, it’s no surprise that there has been a notable increase in cybercrime activities. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the FTC recorded 4.8 million claims in 2020, a 45% increase compared to 2019. This increase was likely due to the 113% increase in identity theft complaints.
Simply put, there is a notable increase in cybercrimes and the government has shown every intention to aggressively prosecute them.
The internet is a vast place and there are many ways for individuals to potentially commit crimes in the digital world. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has narrowed down some of the most common Cybercrimes individuals have been prosecuted for.
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Business email compromise (BEC) scams exploit the fact that so many of us rely on email to conduct business—both personal and professional—and it’s one of the most financially damaging online crimes.
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Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information, like your Social Security number, and uses it to commit theft or fraud.
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Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, that prevents you from accessing your computer files, systems, or networks and demands you pay a ransom for their return.
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Spoofing and phishing are schemes aimed at tricking you into providing sensitive information to scammers.
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Online predators are a growing threat to young people.
Though these are some of the more common crimes that are investigated and prosecuted by the government, cybercrimes can be as minor as pirating software to something much more damaging, such as digitally stealing trade secrets from a company.
Depending on what cybercrime you have been accused of, the severity of punishment can drastically vary depending on the alleged damages inflicted. Below are the potential penalties for various cybercrimes based on the guidelines outlined by the Office of Legal Education Executive Office for United States Attorneys.
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Wire Fraud: Violations of this section are felonies, punishable by a fine, imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both. If the violation affects a financial institution, the maximum penalty rises to a fine of up to $1,000,000, imprisonment for not more than 30 years, or both.
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Obtaining National Security Information: Convictions under this section are felonies punishable by a fine, imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both. A violation that occurs after another conviction is punishable by a fine, imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both.
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Identity Theft: An offender is subject to a fine and up to 15 years’ imprisonment if, as a result of the crime, he obtains anything of value aggregating $1,000 or more during a one-year period. In most other cases, the maximum term of imprisonment is 5 years. However, the court may impose higher sentences if the offense facilitates a drug trafficking crime, a crime of violence, or an act of terrorism, or if the offender has a previous conviction under this section.
No matter the magnitude of the cybercrime you are being accused of, it is crucial that you hire a capable and competent defense attorney who is well versed in the world of cybercrimes. The attorney and their team of forensic analysts are capable of not only investigating and analyzing the facts of your case, but will also provide support and guide you every step of the way when dealing with government prosecutors.
The sooner you hire a defense attorney who is capable of fighting cybercrime charges, the sooner you can start down the path towards resuming your life.
If you or someone you know is facing cybercrime charges, please fill out our consultation form below to get in touch with our experienced team of experts.
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