SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
The Anatomy of a ‘Mule Address’
What is a Mule Address?
A mule address is, essentially, a location where fraudsters arrange for the delivery of goods purchased with stolen credit card details. This location often takes the form of an unoccupied house or apartment, making it difficult for authorities to trace the illegal transactions back to the perpetrators. The criminal cycle usually goes like this:
- Stolen Credit Card Information: Cybercriminals obtain stolen credit card information through various means, such as data breaches or phishing scams. They also buy cloned credit cards on the dark web.
- Purchasing Goods: With this stolen credit card information in hand, the fraudsters go on a shopping spree, making purchases for high-value items like electronics, luxury goods, or gift cards.
- Mule Addresses: Rather than having the items delivered to their own homes or risk exposing their identity, the criminals opt for mule addresses. These locations can be vacant houses, properties listed for sale, or even unsuspecting individuals’ residences.
- Delivery and Retrieval: Once the packages arrive at these mule addresses, the fraudsters either physically collect them or employ intermediaries (parcel mules) to do so. These intermediaries are often recruited through various online job schemes, promising easy money for merely receiving packages and forwarding them to another location. Sometimes they tell the unsuspecting mule that they are away on vacation or have moved and packages are mistakenly being delivered to an old address.
- Repeat Offense: With the stolen goods in their possession, the criminals can either use the items themselves, sell them for profit, or continue their fraudulent activities, perpetuating the cycle.
Mule Addresses are the Perfect Cover
The appeal of mule addresses for cybercriminals is clear: they provide an effective cover for their illicit activities. These addresses are often not under surveillance, making it challenging for law enforcement agencies to connect the dots. Moreover, the use of intermediaries as package handlers (parcel mules) creates an additional layer of obfuscation.
Additionally, cybercriminals occasionally employ tactics to divert suspicion from these addresses, such as registering them under false identities or manipulating delivery services to leave packages in hidden spots to avoid drawing attention.
The rise of mule addresses poses significant challenges for authorities in combating online fraud and identity theft. It underscores the importance of awareness and the need for consumers to remain vigilant about safeguarding personal information.
Additionally, mule addresses can be used as drop points for various kinds of illicit products:
- Guns: criminals steal the identities of the property owners and purchase guns online to be dropped off at the mule address.
- Drugs: parcels containing drugs are sent to the mule addresses to avoid detection and surveillance by law enforcement.
- Cash: again, criminals often need to send cash to money mules, but do not want to send it directly to the mule’s address and risk their identification, so mule address drop points are used to obscure this.
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
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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
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
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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