The FBI has issued a warning stating that more and more scammers are attracting unemployed Americans, trying to recruit them into mules (transporters of "black" money) and using them to launder money obtained from online frauds, as well as other criminal activities.
Money mules are individuals who transport or move illegally obtained funds on behalf of criminals, using their own or "fake" bank accounts, either knowingly or unknowingly supporting efforts to launder illegal assets.
Americans who have been left unemployed after the outbreak of the COVID-19 and are desperately looking for jobs are more vulnerable than ever to falling into the trap of scammers.
The FBI Baltimore Field Office said in a statement : “Acting as a money mule – allowing others to use your bank account or making financial transactions on behalf of others – puts your financial security and personally identifiable information at risk. Protect yourself by refusing to send or receive money on behalf of individuals and businesses for which you are not personally and professionally responsible.”
It is worth noting that money mules are behind most of the $3.5 billion in financial loss caused by fraud from 2015 to 2019, according to reports received by the FBI's Internet Complaint Center (IC3).
Scammers are increasingly trying to trap American job seekers by offering them money mules, through “work-from-home opportunities” posted even on reputable job search sites. This makes it much easier for them to attract and defraud potential targets who are now much more susceptible to being persuaded to participate in such schemes.
After unsuspecting individuals are “recruited,” they are asked to use their bank account or a “fake” account to accept “donations.” They are later asked to deposit the money into cryptocurrency addresses controlled by the criminals, using a Bitcoin, link it to the scammers’ bank accounts, or use it to purchase gift cards or various other transferable assets.
The FBI provides a list of red flags that you may be an unwitting money mule, along with steps you can take to protect yourself from this criminal activity. It also urges you to contact either the FBI or your local police if you have been targeted or inadvertently involved in this type of fraudulent activity.
- Accepting and transferring your stolen money could be considered a violation of federal money laundering statutes, especially if the activity is prolonged or you keep the money for yourself.
- Even if you don't personally win, this illegal money mule activity could lead to your criminal prosecution, while the fraudster gains access to the money without being directly connected to the fraud.
- If you are a money mule, you may be prosecuted or even imprisoned as part of a criminal conspiracy to launder "black" money.
As BleepingComputer reports, the US (DoJ) announced mid-week the completion of its third annual Money Mule Initiative, which resulted in 2,300 mules being prosecuted after taking action against more than 600 individuals during 2019.
This is the second warning the FBI has issued about cybercriminals increasingly exploiting the fear and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic to recruit mules. The first warning was issued in April.
