The word "interstate" below makes it clear how USA-specific "wire fraud" is. Note that the Enron suspects are accused of wire fraud -- because of all the things they did, it's easiest to prove that one. Also note, like kidnapping, the crime gets serious when it crosses a state borderline, an aspect that doesn't carry such great import in Europe or the rest of the world. But I think I remember that in Germany in the 1980s the use of a fax to distribute advertising also fell under the general term "Postbetrug". In the meantime, Internet criminality has arisen as well. Also note that the word "sound" is a major element of it --
According to the definition below, some of the cheating that translators do to one another, using the Internet as a vehicle, is also "wire fraud". (The message goes through the telephone wires, or other cables, etc.)


See: www.lectlaw.com/def2/w017.htm - 5k
WIRE FRAUD - 18 USC 1343, makes it a Federal crime or offense for anyone to use interstate wire communications facilities in carrying out a scheme to defraud.

A person can be found guilty of that offense only if all of the following facts are proved beyond a reasonable doubt:

First: That the person knowingly and willfully devised a scheme to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false pretenses, representations or promises; and

Second: That the person knowingly transmitted or caused to be transmitted by wire in interstate commerce some sound for the purpose of executing the scheme to defraud.

It is not necessary that the Government prove all of the details concerning the precise nature and purpose of the scheme; or that the material transmitted by wire was itself false or fraudulent; or that the alleged scheme actually succeeded in defrauding anyone; or that the use of interstate wire communications facilities was intended as the specific or exclusive means of accomplishing the alleged fraud.

What must be proved is that the person knowingly and willfully devised or intended to devise a scheme to defraud; and that the use of the interstate wire communications facilities was closely related to the scheme because the person either wired something or caused it to be wired in interstate commerce in an attempt to execute or carry out the scheme.

To "cause" interstate wire facilities to be used is to do an act with knowledge that the use of the wires will follow in the ordinary course of business or where such use can reasonably be foreseen.

Each separate use of the interstate wire facilities in furtherance of a scheme to defraud constitutes a separate offense.


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Note added at 2002-08-04 21:44:55 (GMT)
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Here is the Swiss variant in 2000:

http://www.beo-news.ch/febr2000/krimi2.htm
Berner Oberland News
Aktuelle Frontpage (http://www.beo-news.ch)
Leserbriefe und Bestellung von Bildern in druckfähiger Auflösung
(E-Mail [email protected])
Dienstag, 22. Februar 2000

Betrugs- und Wirtschaftsdelikte

Auch die Betrugs- und Wirtschaftsdelikte haben nach Angaben Baumgartners zugenommen, nämlich um zehn Prozent oder 132 Fälle auf 1461 Straftaten: «Die grösste Zunahme war beim Straftatbestand des Betrügerischen Missbrauchs einer Datenverarbeitungsanlage (Art. 147 StGB) zu verzeichnen.» Im gleichen Zeitraum habe hingegen der Bank- und Postbetrug abgenommen. Daraus müsse der Schluss gezogen werden, dass bei der Täterschaft die grössere Bereitschaft bestehe, eine deliktische Tätigkeit gegenüber einer Datenverarbeitungsanlage – eben einem Automaten – zu begehen, als gegenüber einer Person einer Bank- oder Poststelle: «Diese Feststellung dürfte mit Blick auf die Zukunft deshalb von Interesse sein, weil das Abwickeln von Geschäftsaktivitäten über das Internet, via Electronic Commerce noch weiter zunehmen wird.»