Are You Unwittingly Becoming a Money Mule? The Shocking Truth Behind Innocent Online Requests
James M. Walsh, Esq. Weighs In
Money Mules: Legal Consequences
There are three types of money mules or “Smurfers.” Unwitting or unknowing, witting, and complicit. And, under criminal federal and state laws, there are a myriad of charges you may face having participated, knowingly or unknowingly, as a money mule. This could include wire fraud, conspiracy, mail fraud, money laundering, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft, among others. Prosecutors have a wide range of discretion on whether an individual will be prosecuted, and the extent to which they will be charged. Moving money on behalf of an unknown individual is, in my estimation, a huge red flag. Run and report immediately. If you don’t, incarceration is likely and your ill-gotten gains will be subject to civil forfeiture.
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