Fraud Attorney in Indianapolis, IN

Fraud investigations often run quietly for months before anyone is charged, and by the time a person learns about one, investigators may already have bank records, emails, and witness interviews. Fraud covers a wide range of offenses involving deception for financial gain, including credit card fraud, bank fraud, insurance fraud, healthcare fraud, government benefits fraud, embezzlement, and schemes using the mail, phone, or internet. These cases can be charged in Indiana state court, federal court, or both.

Under Indiana law, fraud is generally a Level 6 felony, carrying six months to two and a half years, and can be charged at a higher level for large losses or certain aggravating facts. Related Indiana offenses include deception, which is generally a Class A misdemeanor, insurance fraud, forgery, and theft by an employee or fiduciary. Federal fraud charges often carry much longer sentences. Federal wire fraud and mail fraud each carry up to twenty years in prison, and up to thirty years when they affect a financial institution. Federal sentences are shaped heavily by the sentencing guidelines, where the amount of loss can add years to the recommended range. Restitution to the people or businesses that lost money is typically ordered as part of any conviction.

Fraud cases are document-heavy and frequently turn on intent. The defense may focus on whether the person actually intended to deceive, as opposed to a business dispute, an honest mistake, or reliance on someone else’s information, and on how the loss amount was calculated. In cases with multiple people involved, it’s important to examine each person’s actual role and knowledge. Statements made to investigators, auditors, or employers before charges are filed can become key evidence, so getting counsel involved early often matters more in fraud cases than in almost any other kind.

At RileyCate, we defend fraud and white collar cases in state and federal court, from single-count cases to complex schemes involving financial records and multiple defendants. Our business litigation background also helps us understand the contracts, accounting, and business relationships that often sit at the center of these cases. For cases involving false identities or bad checks, our Identity Theft and Check Deception page covers those charges.