Fraud Scheme Investigation
The Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force has been conducting an investigation known as "Operation Broken Trust." It is the largest investment fraud investigation in the United States which started on August 16 and ended December 1, 2010. The operation consisted of approximately 231 cases and was mainly focused on schemes targeted at individual investors. The victims had lost more than $8 billion due to the fraud schemes. Many of the victims lost their life savings and homes. Most of the fraud schemes involved ficititous advertisements that tricked investors into endorsing in their company. The FBI and task force have been gathering information against the individuals participating in the fraud schemes secretly for the past several months through undercover operations and surveillance.
The FBI and other federal agencies tend to focus most of their expenses in investigating white collar crime operations due to its high financial incentive. Since white collar crime has increased in the United States, persons indicted often receive higher sentences than in the past. In many cases, the individuals that are indicted are not aware of the extent of their involvement in the fraud scheme. Usually the high-level offenders will be used as informants and are offered a reduced sentence if they cooperate. This may be difficult for a person that does not have much information about the fraud scheme.
In the past few years, there has been a great increase in investigative efforts by federal agencies in white collar crime. As such, anyone indicted in these types of cases should consult with a good federal defense lawyer in order to prepare the best defense possible. A federal attorney would be able to provide advice and information on how to get a fair judgment in your case.
If you or someone you know has been indicted for a federal crime, contact one of our experienced federal defense lawyers for a free consultation.
