Money Mules Can Be Prosecuted For Aiding The Criminals They Support – Even If They Did Not Know They Were Doing It

Money mules face potentially serious legal challenges, especially if they do not report the crime and their involvement. The police will find them and show up eventually. It is almost always better to report immediately to declare their innocence and cooperate in any investigation.

PLEASE NOTE THIS ARTICLE APPLIES TO RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES – HOWEVER, LEGAL HELP IS AVAILABLE IN MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD

Also, note that these same resources could be available to any scam victim depending on their need.

A Reminder, What Is A Money Mule?

A money mule is a person who transfers money acquired illegally (e.g., stolen) in person, through a courier service, or electronically, on behalf of others.

Typically, the willing money mule is paid for services with a small part of the money transferred. However, money mules are often recruited online for what they think is legitimate employment or they are doing it for someone they care about in an online romance, not aware that the money they are transferring is the product of crime. The money is transferred from the money mule’s account to the scam operator, typically in another country or the mule may have given access to their financial accounts and the criminals do it all themselves. Similar techniques are used to transfer illegal merchandise.

Here are some of the ways that money mules are used:

• To launder money: Money mules can be used to launder money by transferring it between accounts, making it more difficult for law enforcement to track.
• To facilitate fraud: Money mules can be used to facilitate fraud by receiving payments from victims and then transferring the money to the fraudsters.
• To traffic drugs or other illegal goods: Money mules can be used to traffic drugs or other illegal goods by receiving payments from buyers and then transferring the money to the sellers.

Money mules can face serious legal consequences if they are caught, and this is why it is so important to report these crimes to the police to cooperate and aid in any investigation so they are not charged. They can be charged with money laundering, wire fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and many other related crimes. The penalties for these crimes can include fines, imprisonment (in many cases of up to 20 years,) and civil penalties.

What Must A Money Mule Do When They Discover The Scam That They Have Been Made A Part Of?

There are TWO main risks for money mules – those that are unwitting and who were lured in unknowingly.

1. Criminal Charges – money mules in the thousands around the world are being prosecuted, especially when they fail to act and report these crimes.
2. Civil Liabilities – victims can sue money mules to recover money that the mule helped to facilitate. Mules can be liable even if they knew nothing about the other victims or if they were being victimized by the scammers.

These are the principal reasons why money mules should be speaking with a licensed attorney for advice and support in the event of either of these two cases.

Here is an example of what can go wrong: 67 Year Old Money Mule Convicted (scamsnow.com)

Get Legal Help

There are many choices for legal help. We will list them based on the type of help:

Legal Aid

LSC is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 131 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.

If you are looking for help with a civil legal problem, enter an address or city below to find an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you.

You can also visit LawHelp.org to look up information about your legal questions and find free legal forms.

Pro Bono Legal Support

Pro bono legal services are legal services provided for free or at a reduced fee. The term “pro bono” is Latin for “for the public good.” Pro bono legal services are typically provided by attorneys who volunteer their time and expertise to help people who cannot afford to pay for legal representation.

There are many different types of pro bono legal services that can be provided. Some common examples include:

• • Criminal defense: This type of pro bono legal service is provided to people who are facing criminal charges. Pro bono attorneys can help people with their bail hearings, plea negotiations, and trials.
  • Immigration law: This type of pro bono legal service is provided to people who are seeking immigration benefits, such as asylum or citizenship. Pro bono attorneys can help people with their applications, interviews, and appeals.
  • Family law: This type of pro bono legal service is provided to people who are involved in family law matters, such as divorce, child custody, and adoption. Pro bono attorneys can help people with their paperwork, mediation, and court appearances.
  • Civil rights: This type of pro bono legal service is provided to people who have been discriminated against or violated their civil rights. Pro bono attorneys can help people with their complaints, lawsuits, and appeals.

There are many different organizations that provide pro bono legal services. Some common examples include:

• • Legal aid organizations: These organizations provide free legal services to low-income people.
  • Bar associations: These organizations represent lawyers and promote the legal profession. Many bar associations have pro bono programs that match lawyers with clients in need.
  • Law firms: Some law firms have pro bono programs that allow their attorneys to volunteer their time to help people in need.

If you are in need of pro bono legal services, there are a few things you can do to find help. First, you can contact your local legal aid organization. You can also contact your state bar association or a law firm that has a pro bono program. There are also many online resources that can help you find pro bono legal services.

Pro bono legal services can be a valuable resource for people who cannot afford to pay for legal representation. If you are in need of legal help, do not hesitate to reach out for pro bono assistance.

The United States Department of Justice maintains a directory of Pro Bono Legal Services: List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers | EOIR | Department of Justice. But you can also look for Pro Bono Attorneys are your state or territory Bar Association website.

Free Legal Answers

Online pro bono program that matches low-income clients with volunteer lawyers, who agree to provide brief answers online for free.

Can’t Afford a Lawyer? The American Bar Association (ABA) maintains a free legal answers website at Free Legal Answers (abafreelegalanswers.org)

What is ABA Free Legal Answers and is it really free?

ABA Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice clinic in which qualifying users post civil legal questions at no cost to be answered by pro bono attorneys licensed in their state.

What kinds of legal problems does Free Legal Answers help with?

Question topics include Family, Divorce, Custody, Housing, Eviction, Homelessness, Consumer Rights, Financial, Work, Employment, Unemployment, Health and Disability, Civil Rights, Income Maintenance, Juvenile and Education Law.

If you were a money mule you will have to do the work to find the resources you need. No one is going to ride up and save you. You have to report the crime and make sure that you have the legal support you need to stay safe. This may cost you some money, but the choice of not doing it is catastrophic!

Resources:

United States

• Get Legal Help | LSC – Legal Services Corporation: America’s Partner for Equal Justice
• List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers | EOIR | Department of Justice
• www.LawHelp.org
• Free Legal Answers (abafreelegalanswers.org)
• SCARS Suport Groups – support.AgainstScams.org
• Find a trauma counselor or therapist – counseling.AgainstScams.org
• Learn how to report the crime – reporting.AgainstScams.org

Canada

• Legal Aid Program (justice.gc.ca)
• Pro Bono Canada – Promoting Pro Bono & Increasing Access to Justice

United Kingdom

• National Pro Bono Centre
• Advocate: Finding free legal help from barristers (weareadvocate.org.uk)

Australia

• Australian Pro Bono Centre | Australian Pro Bono Centre
• Getting legal help – List of organisations (fedcourt.gov.au)

New Zealand

• NZLS | The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa
• Contact legal aid | New Zealand Ministry of Justice

More:

• Money Mules & Money Laundering – Article Catalog (romancescamsnow.com)
• 67 Year Old Money Mule Convicted (scamsnow.com)
• Are You A Money Mule? A SCARS 5 Steps Guide (romancescamsnow.com)
• Money Mule Series: All About Money Mules (romancescamsnow.com)
• From Victim To Criminal (romancescamsnow.com)
• Money Mules Initiative by the United States Department of Justice (romancescamsnow.com)
• New Global Interpol Campaign Against Money Mules [VIDEOS] (romancescamsnow.com)

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