In the latest global action against money laundering through money mules carried out by law enforcement authorities in 26 countries, more than 500 banks and financial institutions worldwide have collaborated.
Institutions have identified more than 4,900 fraudulent transactions carried out by mules and have helped prevent losses amounting to €33.5 million, as part of the sixth European Money Mule Action (EMMA6), which took place between September and November 2020.
This year, law enforcement, judicial and financial authorities from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Slovenia, Spain, the United States, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and Romania took part in the operation.
As a result of this international action against money laundering from illegal activities, 4,031 money mules and 227 recruiters were identified, 422 people were arrested worldwide, and 1,529 criminal investigations were opened.
Support from Europol, Interpol, the European Banking Federation, FINTRAIL and Western Union has made it possible to step up efforts to combat money mule networks—people who, often unknowingly, contribute to laundering money from human trafficking or drug trafficking by receiving and transferring money from their bank accounts in exchange for payment.
This week, the #NoSeasMula campaign is launching across Europe to raise awareness of this type of fraud and the serious legal consequences it can entail, such as prison sentences or a criminal record, even if the mules are unaware that they are committing a crime.
Although some cases related to COVID and cryptocurrencies have been reported, scams in payment processes and romance scams are the most common. Criminals are increasingly using online dating sites and social media to recruit money mules, especially students and young people.
Here you will find useful information about the modus operandi of these criminal gangs and tips to avoid being drawn into their crimes. You can also follow our recommendations on social media using the hashtags #NoSeasMula and #DontbeaMule.
