{"id":352101,"date":"2023-08-23T12:23:44","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T17:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/mail-fraud.html"},"modified":"2023-08-23T12:23:44","modified_gmt":"2023-08-23T17:23:44","slug":"mail-fraud","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/mail-fraud.html","title":{"rendered":"Mail Fraud"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mail Fraud<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Mail fraud is a federal crime involving a scheme to deceive others for personal or financial gain using the mail system. It applies whether the mail is sent through the U.S. Postal Service or private carriers. Common scams target vulnerable groups like seniors, veterans, the unemployed, and small business owners.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Mail fraud is one of the most common federal criminal charges. It is\u00a0is often used in white-collar<\/a> and organized crime cases.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This article explains the crime of mail fraud. Learn about what types of criminal activity are considered mail fraud, examples of high-profile convictions, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you are facing a mail fraud charge (or any federal offense), it’s critical that you contact an attorney. The stakes are high for these types of charges, and this area of criminal law can be difficult to navigate on your own.\u00a0A criminal defense lawyer<\/a> can assess your case and help you build a strong and effective defense.<\/p>\n

Legal Definition of Mail Fraud<\/h2>\n

Mailing money, contracts, things of value, or communications regarding a fraudulent deal all fall under the definition of mail fraud. The person who mailed it can be charged, and those who knowingly participated also can be charged.<\/p>\n

The term\u00a0fraud\u00a0refers to the use of intentional deception for monetary or personal gain. The federal crime of\u00a0mail fraud<\/a>\u00a0involves two elements: “(1) a scheme to defraud, and (2) the mailing of a letter, etc., for the purpose of executing the scheme.”<\/p>\n

Mail does not necessarily need to cross state lines in order to be the basis of a federal offense. The federal mail fraud statute indicates this. Whether delivered by the United States Postal Service, a private carrier like FedEx, or a commercial interstate carrier, the mail is an instrument of interstate commerce. When used to commit a crime of deceit, the\u00a0Commerce Clause<\/a>\u00a0of\u00a0the Constitution<\/a>\u00a0grants the federal government jurisdiction.<\/p>\n

Federal mail fraud charges have been used to prosecute both white-collar crimes and organized crime mobs. Mail fraud is often part of white-collar crime cases, such as:<\/p>\n