What to do When Unknowingly Involved in an Internet Scam
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Summary
My question: What responsibility do I have? I did not promise anyone anything, I did not solicit in anyway anyones funds, I transmitted it as agreed to. |
“I unknowing got involved in an internet scam;
My question: What responsibility do I have? I did not promise anyone anything, I did not solicit in anyway anyones funds, I transmitted it as agreed to.”
Whether you did it knowingly or not, you aided a crime and could be held legally liable for your involvement. Based upon your explanation, you may have some mitigating factors that may help you avoid serious penalties. But at a minimum you will need to refund any money you made to the victims, and be prepared to assist them (and law enforcement) in doing whatever is possible to catch the perpetrators.
Your best bet is to contact a criminal defense attorney in your area (contact your state or county Bar Association and make use of their attorney referral system to find an attorney in your area who will give you a brief consultation, often at a discounted rate). That attorney will be able to assist you in understanding what penalties you may face, and the attorney may be able to assist you in approaching law enforcement in a way that will favorably dispose them towards you as they consider what, if any, charges to bring against you.
Think you may be in legal trouble? Fill out the form below to set up a confidential FREE consultation with a criminal lawyer in your area who can explain your rights and options to you! Don’t delay! Time wasted can have a serious impact on the outcome of a criminal law case!
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For more on this subject check out these categories: Criminal Law, Internet Law
Ray Everett-Church is a privacy and security consultant with PrivacyClue LLC and is co-author of "Internet Privacy for Dummies" Contact This Author
State laws vary, and the above is intended as general advice, and not direct legal advice regarding any one particular situation in any one state. For direct personal legal advice related to your own situation you should consult an attorney familiar with the laws of your state and with your situation.