Wire fraud cases are usually prosecuted by the federal government, rather than by California state prosecutors. Under federal law, wire fraud involves a person who has devised or intends to devise a scheme or artifice to defraud, or to obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, to transmit, or cause to be transmitted by means of wire, radio, or television communication, any writings, signs, signals, pictures, or sounds for the purpose of executing the scheme or artifice. If you have used the telephone, cell phone, or internet in connection with the commission of an alleged fraud, it is possible that you may be subject to federal wire fraud charges. The penalties for wire fraud are severe. In addition to a substantial fine, a defendant may receive up to 20 years in prison if convicted, and even up to 30 years if the wire fraud was committed against a financial institution. If you are facing investigation, arrest, or criminal charges for wire fraud, please contact Anchor Criminal Defense for a free consultation.