| Customs Fraud and Evasion Practices |
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| Double invoicing is a procedure in which the importer and foreign exporter agree to divide the per-unit cost between two invoices. Only one invoice is presented at entry. The second invoice for the balance is forwarded to the importer, either before or after entry, and is paid separately. The customs officials are able to detect the improper value of goods listed on an invoice if they are well seasoned in their work. The double invoicing scheme will work if all of the documents are altered properly. More... |
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| Foreign Arrests |
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| If an American citizen violates a foreign law in a foreign country he may be arrested for the foreign offense. An American businessperson or tourist is not afforded any type of immunity such as that enjoyed by diplomats. More... |
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| CONDUCT & CAUSATION |
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| A defendant's conduct does not constitute a criminal offense unless the conduct is prohibited by a statute, a municipal ordinance, or a rule. The word "conduct" means an act or a failure to act. The word "conduct" also includes the defendant's mental state. The word "act" is defined as a voluntary movement of the defendant's body. The word "act" includes speech. More... |
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| FEDERAL LAWS REGARDING EXTORTION |
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| A person commits the federal offense of extortion if he or she transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any demand or request for ransom or for a reward for the release of a kidnapped person, any threat to kidnap or injure another person, or any threat to injure the property or reputation of another person or to accuse another person of a crime with the intent to extort. The federal offense of extortion applies to both interstate and foreign telephone calls and other forms of communication. As long as the communication crosses state or national borders, the communication is considered to involve interstate or foreign commerce. More... |
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| Criminal Forfeitures |
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| Criminal forfeiture actions are generally thought of as a quasi-criminal matter. Criminal forfeiture involves the literal forfeiture of the defendant's personal or real property. Probable cause must be shown to support the seizure of property subject to forfeiture. More... |
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