Las Vegas Fraud Defense Lawyer

Nevada prosecutes identity theft under NRS 205.463, which makes it illegal to use another person’s personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial account numbers, or biometric data — to obtain credit, goods, services, or any other thing of value. Penalties depend on the total loss amount and follow Nevada’s value-based theft tiers. If you have been caught with a fake ID or charged with possessing false identification, the consequences escalate further. De Castroverde Law Group also handles identity theft cases on our dedicated identity theft defense page.

Wire fraud is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1343 that applies whenever a scheme to defraud uses interstate electronic communications — phone calls, emails, text messages, or internet transmissions. Because virtually every modern fraud involves electronic communication, federal prosecutors frequently use wire fraud charges to bring cases into federal court. Penalties include up to 20 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000. If the fraud targets a financial institution or involves a federal disaster, the maximum sentence increases to 30 years with fines up to $1,000,000. Understanding whether wire fraud is a felony and how federal sentencing works is critical to building an effective defense.

Wire fraud is one of the most commonly charged federal offenses because of its broad reach. A single email or phone call used in connection with a fraudulent scheme can satisfy the wire element. Federal prosecutors in the District of Nevada regularly use wire fraud as the anchor charge in complex fraud indictments, often stacking multiple counts to increase sentencing exposure. Each wire communication can constitute a separate count, meaning a scheme involving dozens of emails could result in decades of potential prison time.

Mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 criminalizes any scheme to defraud that uses the U.S. Postal Service or private carriers. Like wire fraud, mail fraud is a federal offense carrying up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Federal prosecutors often pair mail fraud charges with wire fraud charges to maximize exposure. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigates these cases, and they can build cases over months or years before seeking an indictment.

Nevada criminalizes insurance fraud under NRS 686A.291, which covers filing false or fraudulent insurance claims, staging accidents, inflating damage estimates, and misrepresenting material facts on insurance applications. Insurance fraud investigations are often handled by the Nevada Attorney General’s office or special investigation units within insurance companies. Penalties depend on the value of the fraudulent claim and can range from misdemeanor charges for small-value claims to Category B felony charges for large-scale schemes.

Mortgage fraud involves making false statements or material omissions on mortgage loan applications. At the state level, this falls under NRS 205.372 and the general false pretenses statute NRS 205.380. At the federal level, 18 U.S.C. § 1014 criminalizes making false statements to federally insured financial institutions, carrying penalties of up to 30 years in prison. Las Vegas saw aggressive federal mortgage fraud prosecutions following the 2008 housing crisis, and the U.S. Attorney’s office continues to prioritize these cases. Mortgage fraud often triggers felony penalties based on the loan amounts involved.

Embezzlement under NRS 205.300 occurs when a person who has been entrusted with another’s money or property converts it to their own use. Unlike other forms of fraud, embezzlement requires a pre-existing relationship of trust — an employee misappropriating company funds, a fiduciary diverting client assets, or a public official misusing government resources. Penalties follow Nevada’s value-based theft tiers under NRS 205.0835. Many clients ask whether embezzlement is a felony — in Nevada, it becomes a felony when the amount exceeds $1,200.

Securities fraud involves deception in connection with the purchase or sale of securities — stocks, bonds, investment contracts, or commodities. Federal prosecution typically falls under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. § 78j) and SEC Rule 10b-5. Common charges include insider trading, Ponzi schemes, pump-and-dump schemes, and investment advisor fraud. The SEC and FBI investigate securities fraud cases, and penalties can include up to 20 years in federal prison per count plus disgorgement of profits. Large-scale investment fraud may also trigger RICO charges, compounding potential sentences.

Healthcare fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1347 criminalizes schemes to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers. Common allegations include billing for services not rendered, upcoding procedures, performing medically unnecessary procedures, and kickback schemes. Base penalties include up to 10 years in federal prison. If the fraud results in serious bodily injury, the maximum increases to 20 years, and if it causes death, the sentence can be life in prison. Nevada’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the federal HHS Office of Inspector General investigate these cases.

Tax fraud encompasses both state and federal offenses. Federal tax evasion under 26 U.S.C. § 7201 carries up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $100,000 for individuals or $500,000 for corporations. At the state level, Nevada imposes penalties for fraudulent tax filings and failure to remit collected taxes. IRS Criminal Investigation handles federal cases, often building them over years before seeking charges. Tax fraud cases frequently overlap with money laundering charges when defendants attempt to conceal unreported income.

Forgery under NRS 205.090 involves making, altering, or possessing a forged instrument — checks, contracts, identification documents, or financial records — with intent to defraud. Forgery is a Category D felony in Nevada, carrying 1 to 4 years in prison and fines up to $5,000. Writing bad checks with intent to defraud is separately criminalized under NRS 205.130. If the bad check exceeds $650, it can be charged as a Category D felony.

Internet fraud and cyber fraud encompass a growing range of offenses, from online scams and phishing schemes to unauthorized computer access and cryptocurrency fraud. Nevada criminalizes computer fraud under NRS 205.4765, which covers unauthorized access to computers, networks, or data with intent to defraud. Federal prosecution often uses wire fraud statutes (18 U.S.C. § 1343) for internet-based schemes because online communications satisfy the interstate wire element. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and the Secret Service’s Electronic Crimes Task Force investigate these cases.

Nevada’s organized retail theft statute, NRS 205.08345, targets coordinated retail theft operations where the aggregate value of stolen merchandise reaches $1,200 or more. This is charged as a Category B felony, carrying 1 to 10 years in prison. Prosecutors use this statute against organized theft rings but sometimes apply it broadly to individuals accused of systematic shoplifting. Our theft crimes attorneys challenge the aggregation methods prosecutors use to reach the $1,200 felony threshold.

Bribery of a public officer under NRS 197.010 is a Category B felony in Nevada, carrying 1 to 6 years in prison and fines up to $5,000. The statute covers both offering and accepting bribes. Commercial bribery and kickback schemes may also trigger federal charges. For a detailed comparison of related charges, see our analysis of extortion vs. bribery.

Fraud convictions are particularly dangerous for non-U.S. citizens. Most fraud offenses qualify as crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMT) under federal immigration law, which can trigger deportation, denial of visa applications, and bars to naturalization. Fraud convictions involving losses of $10,000 or more are classified as aggravated felonies under the Immigration and Nationality Act, making the consequences even more severe — including mandatory deportation with no possibility of relief. Because criminal charges affect non-U.S. citizens in ways that go beyond the criminal sentence, it is essential to work with a law firm that practices both criminal defense and immigration law. De Castroverde Law Group’s immigration lawyers work alongside our criminal defense team to protect your immigration status while defending against fraud charges.

Nevada allows certain fraud convictions to be sealed under NRS 179.245 after a waiting period that depends on the offense category. Category B felonies require a 5-year wait after case closure, Category C felonies require 5 years, Category D felonies require 5 years, and misdemeanor fraud requires a 1-year wait. Dismissed charges can be sealed immediately. Understanding which charges can be sealed is an important part of planning your defense strategy. De Castroverde Law Group can help you seal or expunge your record once you become eligible.