SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
It Is Common For Scam Victims To Be Manipulated – Against Their Will Or Knowledge Into Becoming Money Mules
Don’t Be a Mule: Awareness Can Prevent Crime
What Is a Money Mule?
A money mule is someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else.
Criminals recruit money mules to help launder proceeds derived from online scams and frauds or crimes like human trafficking and drug trafficking. Money mules add layers of distance between crime victims and criminals, which makes it harder for law enforcement to accurately trace money trails.
Money mules can move funds in various ways, including through bank accounts, cashier’s checks, virtual currency, prepaid debit cards, or money service businesses.
Some money mules know they are supporting criminal enterprises; others are unaware that they are helping criminals profit.
Money mules often receive a commission for their service, or they might provide assistance because they believe they have a trusting or romantic relationship with the individual who is asking for help.
If you are moving money at the direction of another person, you may be serving as a money mule.
What Are the Consequences?
Acting as a money mule is illegal and punishable, even if you aren’t aware you’re committing a crime.
If you are a money mule, you could be prosecuted and incarcerated as part of a criminal money laundering conspiracy. Some of the federal charges you could face include mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.
Serving as a money mule can also damage your credit and financial standing. Additionally, you risk having your own personally identifiable information stolen and used by the criminals you are working for, and you may be held personally liable for repaying money lost by victims.
What Are the Signs?
Work-from-Home Job Opportunities
- You received an unsolicited email or social media message that promises easy money for little or no effort.
- The “employer” you communicate with uses web-based email services (such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, Outlook, etc.).
- You are asked to open a bank account in your own name or in the name of a company you form to receive and transfer money.
- As an employee, you are asked to receive funds in your bank account and then “process” or “transfer” funds via: wire transfer, ACH, mail, or money service business (such as Western Union or MoneyGram).
- You are allowed to keep a portion of the money you transfer.
- Your duties have no specific job description.
Dating and Social Media Sites
- An online contact or companion, whom you have never met in person, asks you to receive money and then forward these funds to one or more individuals you do not know.
Protect Yourself
- Perform online searches to check the legitimacy of any company that offers you a job.
- Do not accept any job offers that ask you to use your own bank account to transfer money. A legitimate company will not ask you to do this.
- Be wary if an employer asks you to form a company to open up a new bank account.
- Be suspicious if an individual you met on a dating website wants to use your bank account for receiving and forwarding money.
- Never give your financial details to someone you don’t know and trust, especially if you met them online.
Report The Crime
You are the victim of organized transnational criminals!
Take this seriously. The reason scams are so out of control is that only about 1% of victims report these crimes!
- Every report matters!
- Police may not chase after the scammers but the reports help the government to extradite them!
- Reporting also restores your power and control!
- It helps you accept that you are the victim and not to blame!
Where To Report?
- Get prepared first: https://romancescamsnow.com/dating-scams/a-scam-victims-checklist-interacting-with-the-police/
- Report to your local police and get a report number!
- Report to your financial institutions and give them the report number!
- Report to your national police or the FBI at www.IC3.gov
- Report to the U.S. FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=SCARS
- Report to the SCARS global network at www.Anyscams.com
- Keep the evidence – you may need it later!
To learn more about the topics covered in this webinar visit:
- How To Explain It To Others
- Reporting Scammers – How To Tell Your Story To Your Local Police!
- 3 Steps For New Victims
- A Scam Victim’s Checklist
- Understanding Law Enforcement
- How Do You Get Closure?
- Why Reporting Matters?
- Reporting To The Local Police
- Reporting Romance Scams: Why Survivors Often Don’t
- 2022 Scam Update – A Podcast With Dr. Tim McGuinness And Debby Montgomery Johnson
- Psychology of Scams & Victim Trauma – Article Catalog
- Recovering from Scams – Article Catalog
- Information For Family & Friends – Article Catalog
- Money Mules & Money Laundering – Article Catalog
To learn more about who SCARS is visit www.AgainstScams.org To find a local counselor or therapist visit either: www.opencounseling.com and www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/trauma-and-ptsd If you are looking for a support group please contact us at: www.facebook.com/groups/SCARS.Avoidance.Information.Public.Group
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Table of Contents
- A SCARS Webinar [VIDEO]
- It Is Common For Scam Victims To Be Manipulated – Against Their Will Or Knowledge Into Becoming Money Mules
- What Is a Money Mule?
- What Are the Consequences?
- Who Is at Risk?
- What Are the Signs?
- Protect Yourself
- Report The Crime
- To learn more about the topics covered in this webinar visit:
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ARTICLE META
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
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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