Identity Theft

Under NRS 205.461, identity theft involves the use of another person’s identifying information. The most common examples of ID theft include:

• Stolen checks or ATM cards

• Fraudulently changing address

• Misusing someone else’s social security number

• Driver license number fraud

• Passport fraud

• Password theft and unauthorized use

Individuals charged with identity theft face category B felony charges. Penalties include but are not limited to 1 – 20 years in prison, up to $100,000 in fines, and potential restitution payments.

The penalties can be enhanced under certain circumstances like identity theft of an elderly person, instances where there are five or more victims, etc.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement (NRS 205.300) is the act of stealing resources (i.e., money & property) entrusted to an individual by the victim(s). Common examples of embezzlement in Las Vegas include:

• An employee stealing money from the company cash register

• Renting furniture and never returning it

• Taking payments for work, but never completing it

Embezzlement is typically charged as a misdemeanor offense if the amount embezzled is less than $1,200.  However, if the individual embezzles more than $1,200, it is a felony offense punishable by 1 – 20 years in prison, depending on the amount. 

Insurance Fraud

According to NRS 686A.2815, an individual commits insurance fraud if they intentionally provide inaccurate information to an insurance provider or government body to gain benefits in which they are not otherwise eligible.

Some of the most common types of insurance fraud include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Car insurance fraud

• Health care fraud

• Welfare & workers compensation fraud

• Unemployment fraud

Any type of insurance fraud in Las Vegas is punished severely.  A conviction for insurance fraud in Las Vegas can lead to a category D felony, 1- 4 years imprisonment, and fines up to $5,000.

Mortgage Fraud

The lender or the loan applicant can perpetrate mortgage lending fraud.  It occurs when someone intentionally misrepresents material information while participating in a mortgage lending transaction.

Examples of mortgage lending fraud include but are not limited to the following:

• Providing false information on mortgage applications

• Tricking homeowners into refinancing scams

• Offering fake or false property value appraisals

Individuals who have committed a singular act of mortgage fraud in Las Vegas face category C felony charges. That can lead to 1 – 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

However, if there is a history of mortgage lending fraud, prosecutors may charge offenders with a category B felony. The penalties for a category B felony mortgage lending fraud include 3 – 20 years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines.

Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud is one of the most widely prosecuted white collar crimes in Nevada.  Under NRS 205.760, a person commits debit or credit card fraud if they knowingly misuse credit/debit card information to commit fraud against another person or organization.

Common acts of credit and debit card fraud include:

• Using or possessing another person’s card without authorization

• Falsifying information on a credit card application

• Card-not-present (CNP) fraud

• Counterfeit card and skimming frauds

• Card-never arrived fraud

In many cases, individuals charged with credit card fraud in Las Vegas face category D felony charges, 1 -2 years in prison, up to $5,000 in fines, and potential restitution payments to victims.

However, the exact charges and penalties depend on the type of credit card fraud, criminal history, and amount defrauded.

Casino Marker Fraud

Casino markers are essentially an interest-free line of credit that casinos give to regular customers.  As the customer gambles, they must “draw markers” in set amounts to pay off their debts. In most cases, the debt is drawn directly from the customer’s bank account.

With that in mind, customers who do not pay casino marker debt in Las Vegas can face civil and criminal penalties.   

According to NRS 205.130, individuals who intentionally defraud the casino by extending credit (casino markers) when they have insufficient funds in their account are guilty of casino marker fraud.   

It’s important to note that Nevada automatically assumes an intent to defraud the casino if a person has insufficient funds in their bank account when the casino attempts to collect their debts.

The penalties for category D felony casino marker fraud in Las Vegas include but are not limited to:

• 1 – 4 years in prison
• Restitution payments to the casino
• Up to $5,000 in fines
• Additional administrative fees

Furthermore, defendants can be charged for separate offenses for each unpaid casino marker.

Gaming Fraud

Gaming fraud (NRS 465.070) addresses many situations wherein an individual uses an unfair advantage (i.e., insider knowledge or cheating) to profit. Common examples of gaming fraud in Las Vegas include but are not limited to:

• Claiming false bets

• Sports tampering & match-fixing

• Multiple gamblers working together to help one person win

• Betting fraud

• Bypassing Nevada gambling laws in any way

First time gaming fraud offenses in Las Vegas are typically prosecuted as a category C felony with penalties including 1 – 5 years imprisonment, up to $10,000 in fines, and potential restitution payments.

Individuals charged with a second offense (or more) gaming fraud charge face a category B felony, up to 6 years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines, and restitution payments.

Securities Fraud

Otherwise known as “investment fraud” or “stock fraud,” securities fraud involves intentionally using false information to entice potential investors to purchase or sell securities.  Nevada recognizes many types of securities frauds, including but not limited to:

• NRS 90.570: Fraudulently offering or selling securities

• NRS 90.575: Violation of fiduciary duties by certain securities professionals

• NRS 90.580: Stock market manipulation

• NRS 90.605: Providing investment fraud investigators with false information or destroying evidence

• NRS 90.610: Illegally representing oneself as a licensed securities professional

Violating any Nevada securities fraud laws can lead to a category B felony, 1 – 20 years imprisonment, and up to $500,000 in fines. Furthermore, specific securities fraud crimes in Las Vegas can be charged on the federal level. Learn more below.