State Police detain 11 "money mules" and couriers – including teenagers and a pensioner
Eleven people were detained in Latvia in October for transporting stolen money in cybercrime schemes. Those detained included minors and a man born in 1959.
Police identify "money mule" network: 11 detained, including teenagers and pensioner
The State Police detained eleven "money mules" and couriers in October who received cash and bank cards from cybercrime victims, unlawfully used others' payment means, and laundered criminally obtained funds. According to information obtained by tv3.lv from the State Police, those detained included both minors and a man of pensionable age who committed offences abroad as well.
The fraud scheme began in July of this year, when several people fell victim to misleading advertisements circulated on social networks. Using artificial intelligence, videos and photographs portrayed state officials ostensibly promoting lucrative investment opportunities. Many residents, without verifying the information, invested money in the fraudulent investment platform.
An organised criminal group hired couriers to collect cash from victims and transport it to addresses specified by group members. All instructions were provided to the courier by telephone and through messaging applications. He transported the funds outside the territory of the Republic of Latvia as well.
Pensioner accepted "employment" at foreign company
On 14 October this year, the State Police's Cybercrime Prevention Division detained the courier who transported the stolen money, born in 1959. It was established that he had been offered work ostensibly at a foreign company – he had never met his employer face to face, communication took place remotely, and his duties involved collecting and transporting cash belonging to other persons. In October, the Cybercrime Prevention Division also detained four "money mules".
67,690 euros and three bank cards – via parcel machines
Riga's Pārdaugava Division received a report in October from a man born in 1976 and his wife: between 12 and 14 October, telephone fraudsters defrauded them of 67,690 euros and three bank cards. The fraudsters had telephoned several times, posing as bank employees and later as police officers, claiming that someone wished to take out a credit in their names. Believing the fraudsters, the victims sent bank cards via parcel machines and withdrew and sent cash as well.
During operational investigation measures, persons involved in the scheme as "money mules" were identified. Riga's Pārdaugava Division law enforcement officers detained four persons in Riga and Olaine, born in 2009, 2007, 1997 and 1994. The crime organisers sought "money mules" through the Telegram messaging application. During a search of one of those detained, 2,900 euros were found, which most likely belongs to the victim.
On 26 October, Riga's Pārdaugava Division law enforcement officers detained a young person born in 2002 in another criminal case, who had come to the victim's residence to collect the stolen money.
Another victim in Riga's Eastern District
Riga's Eastern Division law enforcement officers received a report from a woman born in 1957 who was defrauded at the end of September according to a similar scheme – telephone fraudsters posed as bank representatives and State Police officers and instructed that cash should be placed in an envelope and handed to a courier. On 23 September the victim handed an envelope containing 2,300 euros to the courier. On 21 October, a money courier born in 2008 was detained for this offence.
Penalties: up to 12 years imprisonment
The State Police reminds that for fraud, if committed on a large scale or by an organised group, deprivation of liberty from two to ten years is provided for, with or without confiscation of property. For laundering of criminally obtained funds – from three to 12 years, with or without confiscation of property.
Law enforcement officers urge residents not to accept job offers involving receiving, transporting or handing over other people's money without clear and verifiable legal grounds, and to critically assess unexpected telephone calls. More detailed information about the most common types of fraud and security recommendations are available on the police website.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)