Example 213: Employment

Fraudulent offer of employment from non-existant University Counselor. Likely "money-mule" scam.

Message Text:

From: Dr. John Largen <xxxxx @ gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Feb 18, 2018 at 8:54 PM
Subject: EMPLOYMENT
To:
 
 
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See Attached

Attached message:

  

Things to note:

• Name in "From: doesn't match email address, or message text
• Department named does not exist
• Message follows standard "money mule" come-on

What's a money mule?

A money mule is someone recruited by criminals to transfer the profits of their illegal activities. The money may have been stolen directly from another bank account or may be the profits of fraud, drug trafficking, child labour or prostitution. Most of the criminals carrying out this type of crime are located abroad, so a money mule based in the UK is required to transfer the money overseas.

Although some money mules know that they are handling stolen money, criminals also target groups such as university students to unwittingly laundering the funds on their behalf.

http://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/supportServices/healthSafetyWellbeing/MoneyMuleScam.aspx