There are several scams currently active on the internet, involving dating and individuals who are falling prey to those posing as legitimate dating sites for those interested in meeting someone. Then, the person ends up sending some sort of money and/or depositing it into their bank account, only to discover that it has been a fraudulent dating scheme.

If you find yourself being prosecuted for this particular crime, obviously, you're going to want to get to a federal criminal defense attorney as fast as possible.  You may have some defenses related to this crime, as law enforcement and the federal government may struggle to prove that you were actually the one on the other end of the line with this individual.

Federal Criminal Investigation

These dating schemes are prevalent in today's society, and the federal government, with its advanced investigative techniques and experienced forensic experts, is well-equipped to investigate them, especially when they involve the internet.

Another significant factor that will determine whether the feds will get involved and the potential federal prison time the person faces under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines is the amount of the loss involved.  If the scam is major and involves multiple victims, with thousands of dollars lost, then it's much more likely that the feds will get involved and prosecute the case. The person will then face time in federal prison.

If, on the other hand, it's just a one-time occurrence and can be prosecuted in the local courts by the local authorities, then the feds will likely decline to deal with a particular case like that.  Your best bet if you're being investigated for some sort of federal internet fraud related to a dating scheme or otherwise is to keep your mouth shut.

Be cautious about talking on the phone or using a computer to communicate, as the federal government may monitor these activities through wiretap evidence. This involves obtaining warrants from judges to listen to people's phone conversations and track their internet activity.

Therefore, your best option is to consult an attorney.  Go over all the information with that attorney and allow that attorney to represent you and speak to the federal government, providing a crucial buffer between you and the authorities who are investigating the case.

Also, if there is a prosecutor involved with the case, they can communicate with that individual and make whatever arrangements are necessary to defend your rights, freedom, and liberty.

Review Case Strategy with Criminal Lawyer

One crucial thing if you are a family member of a loved one who has been arrested for some sort of internet scheme or scam related to a dating website or being accused of this type of offense, you're going to want to be careful what you say to that person over the phone because the authorities can record those conversations.

Get to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.  Give that attorney the information.  Hire that attorney if you believe they're a good fit for your loved one and a suitable advocate. They can then meet with your loved one, discuss the case with the prosecutors, and gather necessary information to ensure your loved one receives proper defense in these cases.

Any type of federal custody time imposed against someone charged with one of these internet crimes will be served at 85% and, if deemed necessary, if the victim is particularly vulnerable.

Then, the prosecutors will assess and argue for additional time in custody based on that fact, and, of course, they will also consider the amount of money taken when deciding how high a sentence the prosecutors attempt to impose.

Hedding Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm located in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County, at 16000 Ventura Blvd, #1208, Encino, CA 91436. We are also located at 633 West Fifth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. Contact us for a free case evaluation at (213) 542-0994.