Beverly Hills Bank Fraud Attorney
Beverly Hills Bank Fraud Defense
If you are under investigation or have been charged with bank fraud in Beverly Hills, do not speak to federal investigators, bank officials, or any government representative without a criminal defense attorney present. Federal bank fraud investigations are conducted by the FBI, IRS, and U.S. Attorney’s Office, often for months before any arrest is made. By the time agents contact you, they have typically already reviewed financial records, executed subpoenas, and built a substantial case. Early legal intervention is the single most important step you can take. Contact a Beverly Hills criminal defense attorney at The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi today for a free, confidential consultation.
What Is Bank Fraud Under Federal Law?
Bank fraud is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1344. The statute covers any scheme to defraud a financial institution or to obtain money, funds, or property owned or controlled by a bank through false statements, misrepresentations, or fraudulent means. Because the statute is written broadly, prosecutors apply it to a wide range of conduct including:
- Submitting false loan or credit applications including misrepresented income, assets, or employment
- Check fraud including altering, forging, or depositing counterfeit instruments
- Mortgage fraud including inflated appraisals, undisclosed liabilities, and straw buyer arrangements
- ATM and debit card fraud including unauthorized withdrawals and account takeovers
- Wire transfers and online banking fraud using electronic systems to move or conceal funds
- Fraudulent use of lines of credit or business accounts
The scope of the statute means that individuals with limited involvement in a larger scheme, or those who did not personally intend to defraud anyone, can still find themselves named in a federal investigation. If you have received a subpoena, been contacted by federal agents, or have reason to believe you are under investigation, contact a Beverly Hills criminal defense attorney immediately.
Federal Bank Fraud Penalties
Bank fraud is among the most seriously prosecuted white collar offenses in federal court. The consequences of a conviction extend far beyond the sentence itself:
- Up to 30 years in federal prison per count — and prosecutors frequently charge multiple counts arising from a single course of conduct
- Fines up to $1,000,000 per count
- Mandatory restitution to the financial institution for the full amount of the loss
- Asset forfeiture of accounts, property, and funds the government claims are connected to the fraud — which can begin before any conviction
- Federal felony conviction creating a permanent record that affects employment, professional licenses, financial standing, and housing
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens including mandatory deportation
Federal sentences are served without parole. Defendants must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence imposed. When multiple counts are charged, sentences can run consecutively, c
How Our Beverly Hills Bank Fraud Attorney Defends Your Case
Pre-Indictment Intervention
The most critical phase of a bank fraud defense is often before charges are formally filed. A Beverly Hills criminal defense attorney who engages with federal prosecutors at the pre-indictment stage can present exculpatory evidence, challenge the government’s characterization of financial transactions, and in some cases prevent charges from being filed entirely. Clients who retain counsel at the investigation stage have significantly more options than those who wait for an indictment.
Challenging the Financial Evidence
The government’s characterization of financial transactions as fraudulent is not the only plausible interpretation. Working with independent forensic accountants, a skilled defense attorney presents alternative explanations for the transactions at issue, challenges the prosecution’s methodology, and exposes errors in the government’s financial analysis that undermine the case.
Fourth Amendment Suppression
Bank records, electronic data, and communications obtained through search warrants or subpoenas must comply with constitutional requirements. Warrants that were overbroad, lacked probable cause, or were executed beyond their authorized scope are subject to suppression motions. Removing key financial records or digital communications from evidence can fundamentally change the trajectory of a federal bank fraud prosecution.
Challenging Intent
Federal bank fraud requires proof that the defendant specifically intended to defraud a financial institution. Many transactions that prosecutors label as fraudulent are actually the result of legitimate business decisions, accounting disagreements, reliance on the advice of a financial professional, or honest mistakes. When there was no intent to defraud, the prosecution cannot meet its burden of proof. Our Beverly Hills criminal defense attorney builds this defense through the financial records, emails and communications from the time of the transactions, and the full business context of what actually happened.
Contact a Beverly Hills Bank Fraud Attorney Today
If you or a loved one is under investigation or has already been charged with bank fraud in Beverly Hills, your first step should be to secure experienced legal representation. Federal prosecutors act quickly in fraud cases, and once charges are filed, they will work aggressively to build the strongest case possible. Do not risk your future by waiting to get the legal help you need.
At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, we have more than 20 years of experience representing clients in serious criminal cases, including complex fraud matters. Attorney Arash Hashemi guides clients through every stage of the process — from pre-filing investigations and negotiations with federal prosecutors, to grand jury proceedings, trial, and appeals. Our focus is on protecting your rights, reducing your exposure, and pursuing the best possible outcome.
Contact our office today to schedule a free confidential consultation with a Beverly Hills bank fraud lawyer. Early intervention can make a decisive difference in your case.
The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi
11845 W Olympic Blvd #520
Los Angeles, CA 90064
📍 Get Directions
📞 Phone: (310) 448-1529
📧 Email: Contact@hashemilaw.com
🌐 Schedule a Free Consultation
🕒 Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Evening & weekend appointments available by request.