Security News > 2021 > December > Europol: 18k money mules caught laundering money from online fraud
Europol has announced the arrest of 1,803 money mules out of 18,351 identified following an international money-laundering crackdown operation codenamed "EMMA 7.".
O. Money mules are people who receive and transfer money on behalf of scammers and fraudsters, helping them launder the stolen amounts in exchange for a small cut.
We have seen people signing up for this role out of desperation, and we have also covered cases of fraudsters forcing their victims to become money mules by threatening them.
Even though money mules aren't taking part in the scams, they are still a vital link of the online crime chain, enabling actors to "Clean" the money trace and enjoy the fruits of their malicious labor.
"The organized crime groups do this by preying on groups such as students, immigrants, and those in economic distress, offering easy money through legitimate-looking job adverts and social media posts," the Europol said.
"Ignorance is not an excuse when it comes to the law and money muling; they are breaking the law by laundering the illicit proceeds of crime."