The FBI warned this summer that so-called money mule scams were on the rise in Arizona.
The local boss for Homeland Security Investigations says isolation caused by the pandemic makes people vulnerable to being tricked into moving cash for organized crime.
At least 15 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies recently spoke to more than 70 Arizonans with financial records showing they had moved money for criminal groups. Authorities focused this Money Mule Initiative on the elderly, who can be targeted through romance and grandparent scams.
“Some people genuinely had been duped and did not realize they were doing anything illegal,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge of HSI in Arizona.
Some people interviewed did know they’d been fooled and were embarrassed.
“It’s tough to admit that you’ve been taken advantage of,” said Brown.
The law enforcement notifications set the stage for prosecution if people contacted by authorities keep moving cash.
