SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Romance Scams Often Transform Victims Into Money Mules!
Scammers Are Expert In Getting The Maximum Value Form Their Victims!
Often victims become money mules – as a romance or relationship scam victim runs out of money the scammers ask the victim to receive stolen property, receive money, and even provide access to financial or bank accounts. While victims may not be aware that what they are doing is a crime, it is what enables a major part of the scammer’s business model. Without mules almost half of scamming becomes impossible.
Unfortunately, money mules very often think they are just helping their lover or friend to overcome some difficulty. But in fact, they are harming a large number of other victims and businesses.
What Are Money Mules?
Money mules are individuals who are recruited by criminal organizations or fraudsters to assist in the transfer of illegally obtained funds. They are often unaware of the illegal nature of the activity and may be enticed with promises of easy money or the opportunity to work from home.
Money mules are typically used to launder money, which involves transferring funds through a series of accounts to make it difficult for authorities to trace the source of the funds. The money is often obtained through fraud, such as phishing scams or identity theft.
Once the money is transferred to the money mule’s account, the individual is instructed to withdraw the funds and transfer them to another account, often located in a different country. The money mule may be paid a commission for their services, but they are ultimately left holding the bag if caught by authorities, as they are often unaware of the illegal nature of the activity and can be prosecuted for money laundering.
It is important to note that participating in money mule activity is illegal and can result in serious legal consequences. Anyone who is approached to act as a money mule should immediately report the activity to their local authorities.
Money Mules may …
- Receive stolen merchandise purchased with stolen credit cards or accounts that have been taken over
- Liquidate or reship stolen property so that criminals can receive cash
- Receive money from other victims or businesses resulting from other scams and crimes
- Forward money by allowing it to pass through bank account or other financial transactions
What mules rarely understand is the profound harm that this does to others. Not all mules are involved with scammers, many provide support for human trafficking and even the drug trade.
We hope this information will help money mules understand what they are doing and how to stop by reporting their unintentional involvement to the police, and then how to obtain support like any other scam victim. But also what the consequences can be if they do not stop!
What Should Money Mules Do To Avoid Potential Legal Consequences
The best way for money mules to avoid potential legal consequences is to not engage in this activity in the first place. Participating in money mule schemes is illegal and can result in serious legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and a criminal record.
If an individual suspects that they may have been unwittingly involved in a money mule scheme:
- Contact a local criminal defense attorney or solicitor immediately to explore options and considerations
- Money mules should immediately contact law enforcement and cooperate fully with any investigation. This may include providing information about any communications or transactions related to the scheme. This must be done at the local police level and get a report number.
- You may have to contact a Tax Attorney to explore what tax consequences there might be.
In order to avoid being recruited as a money mule, it is important to be vigilant about unsolicited job offers or financial opportunities that seem too good to be true. Fraudsters often target individuals through social media, email, or online job postings, promising quick and easy money in exchange for performing simple tasks like transferring funds.
If you receive such an offer, it is important to be skeptical and do your research. Check the legitimacy of the company or individual making the offer, and be wary of any requests to transfer funds or provide personal information.
By staying informed and exercising caution, individuals can avoid becoming unwittingly involved in money mule schemes and protect themselves from potential legal consequences.
Remember, This Information About Money Mules Is Presented As Is And Can Become Dated And Obsolete
We will update this money mules article catalog from time to time as new articles are added, recategorized, or updated
What Is A Mule
It Begins With A Scam
- How To Quickly Recognize And Stop A Romance Scam
- How To Detect Scams In Someone You Know – A Guide For Family & Friends
- A Scam Victim’s 7 Deadly Sins
Understanding Money Mules:
- What Is A Money Mule? – An Overview
- All About Money Mules
- What Are Scammer Money Mules?
- he Difference Between A Scammer’s MULE and a MOLE
- Scam Basics: From Victim To Criminal
- FBI Warning About Scammers Recruiting Mules
- Rubberband Bank Wire Transfer Scams [Infographic]
- Editorial: Attitudes Are Changing
- The Basic Money Mule Model!
Reporting:
Help & Support
Avoiding Becoming A Mule
How To Stop & Move Forward:
Financial Assistance:
- Next Steps – Protect Your Financial Identity
- Did you give The Scammer Your Information?
- Giving Out Your Banking Information – Scam Warning
Victims’ Stories
- Sharon Armstrong A Victim’s Story
- The Sad Tale Of Glenda Seim
- Another Senior Faces Jail As A Scammer Drug Mule
- Australian Scammer’s Mule Grandmother Who Faced Death By Hanging In Malaysia Has Had Her Conviction Overturned
- Scam Victim Turned Into Money Mule Arrested In West Virginia
- Australian Romance Scam Victim Yoshe Taylor Freed From Cambodian Prison!
- Japanese Woman Age 66 Victimized In ‘International Romance Fraud’ Of ¥100 million (US$896,260)
Consequences
Legal Responsibility:
- Money Mule Series: About Banking & Legal Responsibility
- Money Laundering Presents Grave Dangers For Scam Victims & Mules
- Scam Victims & Violating The Law
- Money Mules Can Be Sued By Victims
- Giving Out Your Banking Information
Mules & Law Enforcement:
- Interpol Arrests Over 1,000 Suspects Linked To Cyber Crime
- Landmark Case Changes Everything For Money Mules
- Criminal Crack Down On Money Mules Worldwide
- Europe Continues The Global Crackdown On Money Mules
- Missouri Money/Parcel Mule Convicted
- Another Senior Faces Jail As A Scammer Drug Mule
- European Money Mule Crackdown Continues in 2021!
- The Near Future Of Money Mules – A SCARS Editorial
Taxes:
Recent Articles About Money Mules
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
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Table of Contents
- Information To Help Mules Understand What They Are Doing & Potential Consequences
- Scammers Are Expert In Getting The Maximum Value Form Their Victims!
- What Are Money Mules?
- Money Mules may …
- What Should Money Mules Do To Avoid Potential Legal Consequences
- Remember, This Information About Money Mules Is Presented As Is And Can Become Dated And Obsolete
- What Is A Mule
- Help & Support
- Consequences
- For Additional Money Mule Information Click Here
- Recent Articles About Money Mules
![Married Scam Victims: Rebuilding Trust in a Marriage Following a Romance Scam - [UPDATED 2025] - on the SCARS Institute RomanceScamsNOW.com - the Encyclopedia of Scams™](https://romancescamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Married-Scam-Victims-2025.png "Married Scam Victims: Rebuilding Trust in a Marriage Following a Romance Scam - [UPDATED 2025] Married Scam Victims 2025")
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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.
When I became aware that I was scammed it was early October 2024. I had run out of money. The criminal was trying to get me to buy crypto, but I played dumb and they dropped that idea and really pushed me to open an account. Since they were impersonating a famous male actor the reason for the account was given as needed for fans to deposit funds for a special fundraising project. I’m sad to say that I did open an account and gave the criminal the information. Several days later I received a call from the bank asking if I was aware of a wire deposit in a very large sum of money coming in. I immediately became afraid and told the bank to deny the wire and close the account. At that moment during that bank call I realized what the criminals wanted of me. I didn’t want any part of it. They tried one more time just before Christmas. I was told that the celebrity had an attorney on their team that was from my state and that everything checked out as legal. They wanted me to register a limited liability corporation, register for a federal identification number and open a business checking account. That was the day I stopped all communication with the criminals and blocked them. When I looked up online the process for registering an LLC, I found mention of the word money mule in one the articles listed. Once I read the article I knew positively this was what the criminals now wanted of me since I had no more money. The article mentioned that being caught as a money mule was an illegal activity.