Durland v. United States
United States Supreme Court
161 U.S. 306 (1896)
Relevant factsFree
Durland (defendant) mailed brochures promising investors a substantial return on small investments, with no actual intention of ever paying back their money or delivering any return; he was convicted of mail fraud and appealed, arguing his brochures made only promises about the future rather than any misrepresentation of an existing fact, so his conduct fell outside the statute's reach.
IssueFree
Whether a violation of the federal mail fraud statute requires that the intent to defraud involve a misrepresentation of an existing fact.