Federal & White Collar Defense Blog

Cybercrime Defense

Tarras Defense represents clients facing cybercrime investigations, technology-related allegations, and federal cases involving digital evidence. A cybercrime lawyer may be needed when allegations involve unauthorized access, data misuse, online fraud, cryptocurrency activity, hacking-related claims, or potential violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Federal cybercrime cases can move quickly and often involve complex technical evidence. Investigators may rely on device seizures, cloud accounts, IP logs, blockchain tracing, emails, encrypted communications, internal access records, forensic analysis, and statements from cooperating witnesses. What may appear to be a business dispute, workplace access issue, or digital misunderstanding can become a serious federal investigation.

Tarras Defense represents individuals, executives, professionals, businesses, and technology-adjacent clients in cybercrime and digital evidence matters in South Florida and throughout the country. The firm focuses on protecting clients during the investigation stage while challenging the government’s assumptions about access, intent, authorization, and alleged misuse.

Federal Cybercrime Investigations & CFAA Defense

Federal prosecutors may bring cybercrime allegations under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, wire fraud statutes, identity theft laws, money laundering statutes, or other federal criminal laws depending on the facts. These investigations frequently overlap with cryptocurrency investigations, financial crime, data privacy issues, corporate disputes, or professional misconduct concerns.

Tarras Defense provides CFAA defense and strategic counsel in matters involving unauthorized access, alleged hacking, data misuse, credential issues, cybersecurity incidents, digital asset activity, and online fraud allegations. The firm works to identify whether the government can prove knowing, intentional misconduct rather than technical error, ambiguous authorization, poor access controls, or misunderstanding.

  • Unauthorized access or alleged misuse of computer systems
  • Data theft, data misuse, or improper access to business information
  • Hacking-related investigations and cybersecurity incidents
  • Cryptocurrency activity, wallets, exchanges, mixers, and blockchain tracing
  • Online fraud, wire fraud, identity-related allegations, or digital financial activity
  • Search warrants, device seizures, forensic reviews, and electronic evidence disputes

Digital Evidence, Intent & Early Defense Strategy

Cybercrime investigations often turn on intent, authorization, and how digital activity is interpreted. Logs, downloads, access records, messages, wallet transfers, or device data may look different when viewed without the full technical and business context.

Tarras Defense approaches these cases by examining the evidence behind the allegation, preserving important records, managing communications with federal authorities, and developing a strategy before the government’s technical theory becomes fixed. Early legal guidance from a cybercrime lawyer is especially important before speaking with agents, producing devices, or responding to subpoenas involving digital evidence.

Representative Matters

Representative matters David Tarras has handled include:

  • $100 Million Crypto Fraud – Secured Bond for Foreign National
In an alleged $100 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme, bond was successfully obtained for a foreign national with no U.S. ties.
  • $57 Million FOREX Investigation – No Charges Filed
Convinced federal prosecutors and SEC investigators to decline prosecution in a $57 million foreign-exchange investment case.
  • Multi-State PPP Loan Conspiracy – Case Dismissed
Secured dismissal of all federal charges in a PPP loan fraud scheme spanning multiple states.
  • PPP Loan Fraud / Money Laundering – Major Count Dismissed
Defeated a money laundering count and reduced loss calculations in a cyber-enabled pandemic loan fraud case.

Cybercrime Defense FAQs

What does a cybercrime lawyer do?

A cybercrime lawyer represents clients in investigations involving unauthorized access, data misuse, hacking allegations, online fraud, cryptocurrency activity, digital evidence, and related federal charges.

What is CFAA defense?

CFAA defense involves defending against allegations under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, often focused on whether access was unauthorized, whether the client had intent, and how digital activity should be interpreted.

Can cybercrime allegations overlap with wire fraud or crypto fraud?

Yes. Federal prosecutors may pair cybercrime allegations with wire fraud, money laundering, crypto fraud, identity-related charges, or conspiracy allegations depending on the evidence.

Should I speak with federal agents about a cybercrime investigation?

Do not speak with agents without counsel. Digital evidence cases are technical, and casual explanations can be misunderstood or used against you later.