Instructions for arrested fraud victims: Part I

Please read everything very carefully.

1. DO NOT take any evidence to the police.  Once a person has been arrested or is considered a person of interest (aka suspect), the THE POLICE ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS.  See You and Law Enforcement

2. All evidence goes to your Defense Attorney.  See You and Your Attorney for information about working with your attorney.

   If you cannot afford an attorney and have not yet obtained a Public Defender, find a Criminal Defense Attorney and hire him only for the purpose of a consultation and to hold your evidence such as emails, checks, money orders, blank check paper, any and all materials associated with the scammer and the scam.

3. If you do not have an attorney present at the arraignment/pre-trial, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.  Anything you say becomes public record and can be used against you at trial.

   You can safely acknowledge your name and state that you do not have representation.  Period.  An arraignment/pre-trial is when the plea is stated, guilty or not guilty.  In a pre-trial, certain determinations can be made as to whether to pursue legal action or not.  This depends entirely on the rules of your court and you should consult with your attorney about process and procedure.

   If you do not have representation, the judge or magistrate will either appoint an attorney present in the court to represent you for the arraignment/pre-trial or will postpone your arraignment/pre-trial until you have an attorney.  

4. If you cannot afford an attorney or need to determine if you qualify for a Public Defender, contact your local Public Defender's Office to find out when and how Public Defenders are appointed.

5. If you can afford an attorney, you want a Criminal Defense Attorney.  Do not gamble with your life by hiring any other kind.

6. Give your attorney written permission to discuss your case with Fraud Aid’s Attorney Liaison Officer, Chief Fraud Victim Advocate, and the head of our Law Enforcement Support Division. 

7. After you have given your attorney written permission to discuss your case with us, send your attorney's contact information to our Case Manager: help@fraudaid.com.

8. Please ask your attorney to contact Fraud Aid – all contact information is listed on the permission letter. 

   Because of Defense Attorney schedules, we have found that it is far more efficient for your attorney to get in touch with us than for us to try to hunt down your attorney.

9. Go to Explanations & Definitions and read the entire section so you understand what has happened, what will happen, and what to watch out for.  You will receive a reminder to do this on the acknowledgment page that appears after you have completed the Request for Help form. 

PROCEED TO SECURE REQUEST FOR HELP FORM >> 

After you have submitted the request for help form you will find a link to Arrest Instructions: Part II on the acknowledgment page, or you can proceed to Part II now.

Arrest Instructions: Part II >>