U.S. Department of Justice Announces Results of Nationwide Enforcement Action Against Money Mules

Four Defendants Prosecuted in Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis – As part of the nationwide Money Mule Initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service released a new video about the legal consequences of being a money mule. This video is based on a current local case.

The nationwide Money Mule Initiative is a coordinated operation to disrupt the networks through which transnational fraudsters move the proceeds of their crimes. Money mules are people who assist fraudsters by collecting money from victims of fraud and forwarding it to the fraud organizers, many of whom are located overseas. Some money mules know they are helping fraudsters, but others are unaware that their actions enable fraudsters’ efforts to swindle money from consumers, businesses, and government unemployment funds.

Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the results of the initiative, where enforcement action was taken in every state over 90 days. Specifically, 4,750 actions were taken against money mules, including approximately 540 interviews, nearly a dozen administrative or civil actions, recovery of $3.7 million in fraud proceeds, and 30 individuals were arrested/charged. 

To find public education materials, as well as information about how fraudsters use and recruit money mules, please visit https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch/money-mule-initiative

The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vthPmLORVrM