FBI Issues Warnings Against Inadvertently Being Involved in Money Mule Activities
A money mule, or a “smurfer” is any individual who transfers illegally acquired funds via his/her personal account or a mule account created, electronically or through courier service on behalf of others. Most of the money is stolen via internet-enabled thefts, scams, and frauds; as-well-as drugs and human trafficking. While some money mules may not be aware that the funds being transferred are illegal, others remain actively involved in the fraudulent scheme.
According to reports by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), between 2015 and 2019, an estimated $3.5 billion was lost in money mule related transactions. This year has also seen a rapid rise in the number of transactions by money mules due to the high number of active job seekers which came about due to the increasing number of workers being laid off.
This creates an environment that is suitable for people to fall into money mule schemes. These unsusceptible people are lured by juicy offers that promise ‘easy money’ for simple bank transactions.
The FBI strongly warns against anyone acting as a money-mule or any third party in the transfer of illegally gotten funds. In a statement by the FBI; “Your acceptance and transfer of the stolen money could be considered a violation of federal money laundering statutes, especially if the activity is prolonged or you keep any of the funds for yourself,”
They went on to state; “Even if you do not personally profit, this illegal money mule activity could open you to criminal prosecution while the scammer gains access to the funds without being directly connected to the initial fraud.”
Further stating; “If you are a money mule, you could be prosecuted and incarcerated as part of a criminal money laundering conspiracy. Some of the federal charges you could face include mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.”
So far, the U.S Department of Justice announced the completion of the third annual Money Mule Initiative which has resulted in the prosecution of 2,300 money mules being prosecuted, 1700 more than last year’s figures.
References
- https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/fbi-you-may-be-a-money-mule-and-not-even-know-it/
- https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/fbi-joins-international-campaign-to-stop-money-mules-121718
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