Michigan Warned Of Scam That Causes You To Unknowingly Break The Law
Every day we are dealing with a different scam, and it seems like all the world has to offer us are scams, scams, and more scams. I would like to say that the one thing I admire about scammers is the reliance and consistency they have in finding new methods. It seems like once people catch on to a scam, there is another one threatening to harm them.
Most scams are used to try and get access to someone's assets or personal information but not all scams are created equally. The most common scams we see are emails, text, and calls but there are also door-to-door scams and other methods that are used daily to try and take advantage of people all over the world. Once again, the FBI has come out to warn individuals of another scam that is making it rounds, but this time the consequences could be dire.
There's a new scam that is taking the United States by storm and FBI officials are warning every one of the extremely dangerous scams. Michigan residents are warned of being a "Money Mule" and how the illegal activity can land them behind bars even though they were innocently dragged into the scam. This is one of the most sinister scams ever invented as it involves breaking the law and placing others in danger.
What Is A "Money Mule"?
The new scam that the FBI is warning Michigan residents about involves the illegal transfer of currency. Transferring funds from one account to another is not illegal but the handling, possession, and other actions involving stolen money is very illegal. This new scam can have you innocently moving money illegally for a friend, family member, or someone you may not even know.
The FBI warns that if you are sent a romantic message or job offer online that is followed by asking you to open up a new bank account then you may be in danger. The scammer(s) will then ask you to transfer money they had sent to your account for some reason that may seem very reasonable. They may even offer to have you keep some of the funds as a payment for your help.
Read More: It's Actually Illegal to Harvest This Herb in Michigan
This "money mule" scam is one of the many techniques that criminals will use to launder money to make it clean. When someone is obtaining income illegally one of the easiest ways to remain hidden is to launder their money, which makes it "legal income" and keeps the authorities off their case.
If the job offer lacks a job description or reads is if your being paid simply to transfer funds, you are most likely going to be breaking the law and are subject to all penalties if convicted. The Department of Justice has already taken legal action against thousands of "money mules" this year, including in Michigan as they try and put a stop to this scam.
Common Practices That Are Illegal in Michigan
Gallery Credit: Canva