Internet Crimes
Aggressive Lawyers Defending Internet Crimes
Estrada & Puente, P.L.L.C. in Dallas, TX offers staunch defense services for individuals in the Dallas, TX area facing charges of internet crimes in all areas. While the internet may seem like it provides some anonymity when communicating or making transactions online, the reality is that it’s very easy to get caught when partaking in criminal activities. However, there are some blurred lines when it comes to internet crimes. Perhaps you didn’t know you were involved in an illegal scheme or thought interaction with someone was legitimate? Whatever your situation is, our team of experienced lawyers will work to get the best resolution for the charges you face.
Common Types of Internet Crimes
Since the internet has a worldwide reach, any illegal internet activity is treated as a federal crime because they cross state lines more often than not. Since they are federal issues and those always come with harsher penalties than state crimes, even a first offense can mean up to 20 years in prison. If fraud was involved, authorities might also seek to seize property used in the scheme. Common types of internet crimes we guide our clients through include:
This is one of the most targeted activities for criminal investigations of internet crimes. Physical contact is not required for unlawful conduct. As soon as the conversation, usually email or instant message communication, turns sexually explicit, it is a crime. A conviction includes a minimum prison sentence of 10 years.
Many sex crimes begin online, and with the simple interaction across state lines through internet communication, these are considered federal crimes. Many of these cases are related to child pornography, online solicitation of minors, online sex stings, and other online predatory behavior.
With so many online transactions, personal information can easily be accessed online if left unprotected. Identity theft can include personal and financial information such as social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, credit history, and personal identification numbers.
This can be the theft of another person's credit card or creating a false credit account. Whether a person obtains or forges another's credit card information, uses their own credit card knowing it's revoked or expired, or an individual sells goods or services knowing the card is being used illegally, it is a form of white-collar crime and frequently occurs on the internet.
Ponzi and pyramid schemes recruit new investors to create funds to pay off initial investors and promise big paydays for doing nothing. Eventually, these schemes collapse because the program becomes too large and runs out of recruits to pay investors. If convicted, individuals can face fines and jail time.
Online auctions, such as eBay, are common platforms for auction fraud scams, including not filling an order for a purchased product or selling an item with misleading descriptions, known defects, or stolen goods. These crimes can also be combined with mail fraud.
Another common internet scheme to defraud people of money is business opportunity schemes with a promise to earn lots of money while doing minimal work from home. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. The business requests an investment upfront from the individual eager to make money. However, the promised materials to earn money never arrive. Many individuals and companies face criminal charges for promising earnings in business opportunities.
Hire an Internet Crime Defense Attorney in Dallas, TX
Internet crimes happen every day all over the country and include severe penalties. What may have started out as an innocent research topic or business opportunity can lead individuals into a complicated area of unlawful activity that can have devastating effects on reputations and ability to work and live as free citizens. Contact our defense attorneys at Estrada & Puente, P.L.L.C. to ensure you have proper counsel and guidance in these serious matters.