Money laundering schemes in Hawaii can be very complex and sometimes rope in people who never imagined they would be part of a criminal enterprise. Sometimes, either for pay or as a favor for a friend, you might move money on their behalf. Doing so, however, can label you as a money mule and could result in criminal consequences.
Are you being used as a money mule?
A money mule is a person who unlawfully moves ill-gained money from one place to another for someone else, generally as part of a money-laundering scheme or illegal trafficking. People will use money mules to hide the traceable path of these funds. You could be a money mule even if you did not know you were being used as a money mule.
Money mules can handle bank transactions, transport cashier’s checks and prepaid debit cards and can even handle transfers of virtual currency. Oftentimes the money mule is paid a commission for transferring the funds. Sometimes a person even takes advantage of those who trust them, encouraging them to act knowingly or unknowingly as a money mule.
What can happen if you are accused of acting as a money mule?
Being a money mule, even unintentionally, violates the law and comes with serious consequences. As part of a money laundering scheme, money mules can face jail time for their role in the enterprise. Your credit could take a hit, and your identity can be stolen. You could even face a lawsuit from those harmed by the scheme.
As this shows, the consequences for acting as a money mule are significant. Whether you knew it or not, you were part of a criminal enterprise. For this reason, those accused of acting as a money mule often need to discuss their situation with a professional so they can protect their future and their reputation.