wire fraud

American  

noun

1. the crime of using interstate wire, television, or radio communications with the intent to defraud.

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Etymology

Origin of wire fraud

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Zhu’s partner, Wang, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and distribution of adulterated and misbranded medical devices in connection with the case.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

The problem is that the wire fraud statute does not clearly lay out what counts as a “scheme to defraud.”

From Slate • May 1, 2026

Van Dyke faces charges of unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of non-public government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Van Dyke was charged with wire fraud and unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, among other charges.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The wire fraud charge, and the stolen property charge, were both directly based on the E911 Document.

From The Hacker Crackdown, law and disorder on the electronic frontier by Sterling, Bruce