Las Vegas Fraud Lawyer

Fighting Fraud Charges in Las Vegas, Nevada

In Nevada, fraud encompasses a range of crimes, each involving intentional misrepresentation of important facts for personal gain. While facing charges for any type of fraud, it is crucial to promptly seek the assistance of a skilled criminal defense lawyer in Nevada. Fraud offenses carry severe penalties and lengthy prison sentences; therefore, you need the strongest possible defense.

Proving fraud cases is challenging, prompting law enforcement and prosecutors to go to great lengths to gather evidence against you. To level the playing field, you require a reliable Las Vegas fraud defense lawyer. Contact the Spartacus Law Firm today for a consultation and learn more about how we can help.

Types of Fraud Charges in Nevada

Our criminal lawyer in Las Vegas specializes in handling various types of fraud cases. We are experienced in navigating the complexities of fraud crimes, ensuring effective representation for our clients. Some of the most common types of fraud cases we defend include:

Organized Retail Theft

Retail fraud refers to a range of unlawful actions involving the theft of products or services from merchants, both online and in person. As outlined by NRS 205.08345, these illicit activities may also include the return of stolen merchandise for monetary gain and the subsequent resale of stolen goods on online platforms.

Credit Card Fraud

This form of fraud involves the use of someone else’s credit card information to make payments for goods or services, regardless of whether the transaction occurs online or in person.

Identity Theft

Identity theft, as defined by NRS 205.463, encompasses any actions taken to use or possess someone else’s personal identification information, such as a personal ID card, Social Security number, or credit card details. The extent of identity theft can range from unauthorized purchases of goods or services to deliberately causing harm to individuals by accumulating debt or making high-value purchases, such as a house, in their name.

Mail Fraud

Mail fraud is a federal offense, according to 18 U.S. Code § 1341. This fraudulent activity involves devising schemes to collect money unlawfully by utilizing false information, such as intercepting someone’s tax return or paycheck sent through the mail. Mail fraud also encompasses the sale or disposal of another person’s property through the mail or making false promises in their name.

Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud occurs when false information is provided to an insurance company with the intention of fraudulently obtaining financial benefits through a policy. For instance, a retail owner may deliberately set their store on fire to claim insurance money for property damage and lost merchandise. Insurance fraud also includes Medicare or Medicaid fraud, which involves filing false claims to receive additional benefits.

Bad Checks/Casino Marker Fraud

Casino markers, used as a form of debt, are treated as checks, and it is considered fraudulent if the recipient is unable to cash or deposit them as intended. Penalties for this offense are based on the amount of the marker or check and range from up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, to 1 to 4 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Gaming Fraud

Activities such as altering or misrepresenting the outcome of a game, modifying a placed and acknowledged bet, manipulating the outcome of a gaming device, offering rewards to influence the result of a race, sporting event, contest, or other forms of gambling, and engaging in additional acts of gaming fraud are all punishable by 1 to 6 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for a first offense.

Mortgage Fraud

The Mortgage Fraud Unit, established by the State of Nevada’s Attorney General, aims to combat fraudulent companies that target homeowners who struggle to meet their mortgage obligations. These companies often offer “programs” that promise to reduce mortgage loans and prevent foreclosures, among other homeownership concerns, in exchange for a fee.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement involves the misappropriation of funds entrusted to an individual, typically by their employer. This unlawful act can range from depositing leftover funds into the embezzler’s private account to stealing goods, property, and money under false pretenses.

Tax Fraud

Tax fraud encompasses activities such as falsifying information on tax forms to reduce the amount of taxes owed to the government or claiming false factors, such as dependents, to increase the amount of tax refund received. Tax evasion is a federal crime and can result in severe penalties for both individuals and businesses.

Forgery

Writing bad checks is a form of forgery. Any action that involves signing legal or financial documents using someone else’s name or information is considered forgery.

Bribery

Bribery occurs when compensation, such as money, jewelry, or valuable information, is offered to influence or dissuade another party from carrying out a specific action. For example, offering $100,000 to a clerk to manipulate election results by falsifying voter count reports constitutes bribery.

Federal Fraud Crimes

The FBI compiles an extensive list of federal fraud crimes, which carry significantly graver consequences compared to their non-federal counterparts. These offenses are prosecuted by formidable federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, IRS, and others who meticulously and tenaciously investigate individuals suspected of violating federal law. Federal fraud crimes encompass a wide range of offenses, including but not limited to:

• Telemarketing fraud
• Identity theft
• Advance fee schemes
• Health care and health insurance fraud
• Investment scams
• Internet scams
• Reverse mortgage scams
• Bank fraud
• Wire fraud
• Mail fraud
• Money laundering
• Software piracy
• Government fraud

Accusations of federal fraud in Las Vegas carry significant legal consequences, necessitating the expertise of a skilled federal criminal defense attorney. At the Spartacus Law Firm, our Las Vegas fraud defense lawyer is well-versed in both state and federal law. We approach our clients’ defense with the same level of tenacity, passion, and skill exhibited by state and federal prosecutors in their pursuit of convictions.

In Nevada, penalties for fraud-related offenses are determined by the value of stolen goods, services, or property. As defined by NRS 205.0835, the severity of fraud crimes is classified accordingly.

• Theft value less than $1,200 is considered a misdemeanor.
• Theft value greater than $1,200 but lower than $5,000 is considered a category D felony.
• Theft value greater than $5,000 but lower than $25,000 is considered a category C felony.
• Theft value greater than $25,000 but lower than $100,000 is considered a category B felony.
• Theft value greater than $100,000 is considered a category B felony but with harsher penalties.

Fraud crimes carry severe penalties, encompassing hefty fines (up to $15,000), lengthy imprisonment (up to 20 years), and additional consequences such as community service, diminished credit score, and revocation of licensure.