wire fraud

noun

: fraud committed using a means of electronic communication (such as a telephone or computer)

Examples of wire fraud in a Sentence

He was charged with wire fraud.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg agreed to plead guilty in August 2025 after facing federal wire fraud charges. — Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 In July 2022, Shah pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for her participation in a telemarketing scheme that targeted the elderly. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 James Weiss was convicted by a jury in 2023 of seven counts of bribery, wire fraud, mail fraud and making false statements. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Ahmed Sharif Omar-Hashim, 43, of Minneapolis, who also used the name Salah Donyale, was sentenced to 36 months for wire fraud. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wire fraud

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wire fraud was in 1951

Rhymes for wire fraud

See All Rhymes for wire fraud

Browse Nearby Words

wire fox terrier
wire fraud
wire gauge
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Cite this Entry

“Wire fraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wire%20fraud. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Legal Definition

wire fraud

see also:
fraud

More from Merriam-Webster on wire fraud

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wire fraud

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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