hardFederal2022criminal
United States v. Anonymous Defendant (Wire Fraud)
Defendant accused of orchestrating email phishing scheme targeting elderly victims. Complex digital evidence and multiple victims across state lines.
Charges
- •Wire Fraud (18 USC § 1343)
- •Aggravated Identity Theft (18 USC § 1028A)
Case Facts
Review the established facts of this case
- 1Between January 2021 and March 2022, 47 victims lost total of $890,000
- 2Victims received emails appearing to be from banks requesting account verification
- 3Emails contained links to fake websites designed to capture login credentials
- 4Stolen credentials used to transfer funds to various accounts
- 5IP address logs trace some phishing emails to defendant's residence
- 6Defendant's computer contained phishing kit software and victim database
- 7Defendant claims computer was hacked and they are also a victim
- 8Some transfers went to accounts in defendant's name
- 9Other transfers went to accounts of unknown third parties
- 10Defendant has background in computer programming
- 11No direct witnesses to defendant creating or sending emails
- 12Digital forensics show phishing kit installed 3 months before first incident
Your Verdict
Based on the evidence and applicable law, what is your verdict?