Aggressively Defending You Against Ponzi Scheme Charges
Whether you call it a Ponzi scheme, an investment fraud or a pyramid scheme, this financial crime puts the accused in a serious situation. A conviction could mean loss of your business license, doing community service, having frozen assets, being on probation, and significant damages and imprisonment. It is important to hire an experienced white collar crime attorney as soon as possible to build your case. Our lawyers at Brunvand & Wise Law Group, have defended clients in serious state and federal cases.
You may not have known that the investment was part of a Ponzi scheme. Perhaps a friend or colleague got you to invest. Regardless of how it happened, you need an experienced, savvy lawyer on your side to fight the charges. The firm’s founding attorney, Bjorn Brunvand, is a Florida board-certified criminal attorney and nationally board-certified criminal attorney. His expertise in criminal defense allows us to build strong defense strategies that are tailored to each individual.
When Does An Investment Plan Become A Ponzi Scheme?
Ponzi schemes are investment plans that promise clients the chance to “get rich quick.” New investors are usually promised high returns with little (or no) risk. The new money is then used to pay people who invested earlier in the plan.
This makes it look like the plan is profitable and that the plan is legitimate. They usually fail when there are no new investors, if existing investors stop putting money into the plan or when investors demand a cash payout.
What Types Of Fraud Are Ponzi Schemes?
Usually, investors are lured by high return rates. The fraud can be in the form of hedge funds, mutual funds and securities. The types of fraud could include:
- Communities
- Lottery fraud
- Mail fraud
- Real estate fraud
- Securities
- Wire fraud
Federal Charges Raise The Level Of An Investigation
If you are charged with a federal crime, your case will be investigated by large government agencies. These agencies usually get involved and aggressively prosecute because these crimes frequently include the elderly, vulnerable people and charitable organizations.
Your case could be investigated by:
- U.S. Department of Justice
- FBI
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- State and federal attorneys
It is important to control the charges as much as possible. The earlier you hire attorneys to help you, the stronger the case that we can build to defend you.
We Work To Control The Negatives And Protect Your Reputation
If you are facing allegations that you conducted a Ponzi scheme in Clearwater, Tampa or in Florida, you need representation that can mitigate your circumstances. Our experienced white collar crime and Ponzi scheme attorneys at Brunvand & Wise Law Group, can help. Call us at 813-521-8069 or email us, and we will work to defend you and your rights.