SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
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.
- Criminal Charges – money mules in the thousands around the world are being prosecuted, especially when they fail to act and report these crimes.
- 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
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)
Do You Need Support?
Get It Now!
SCARS provides the leading Support & Recovery program for relationship scam victims – completely FREE!
Our managed peer support groups allow victims to talk to other survivors and recover in the most experienced environment possible, for as long as they need. Recovery takes as long as it takes – we put no limits on our support!
SCARS is the most trusted support & education provider in the world. Our team is certified in trauma-informed care, grief counseling, and so much more!
To apply to join our groups visit support.AgainstScams.org
We also offer separate support groups for family & friends too.
Become a
SCARS STAR™ Member
SCARS offers memberships in our STAR program, which includes many benefits for a very low annual membership fee!
SCARS STAR Membership benefits include:
- FREE Counseling or Therapy Benefit from our partner BetterHelp.com
- Exclusive members-only content & publications
- Discounts on SCARS Self-Help Books Save
- And more!
To learn more about the SCARS STAR Membership visit membership.AgainstScams.org
To become a SCARS STAR Member right now visit join.AgainstScams.org
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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