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On Wednesday, March 27, several money mules, people whose bank accounts are used for criminal purposes, had to report to the police station in Capelle aan den IJssel. The Police wants to warn people not to allow themselves to be abused, because the consequences are serious.
A total of six people had to report to the police station in Capelle this week: four men and a woman from Rotterdam, and one man from Capelle aan den IJssel. This mainly concerns young adults and one of 42 years old.
Money mules always get caught
Officially they are suspected of involvement in internet fraud and money laundering. According to the Police, they are money mules. They have then made their bank account and sometimes also debit card available to a criminal. The victim has money deposited there and then quickly withdraws the money. This way the criminal himself remains out of the picture, while the money mules always get caught.
Big consequences
The consequences for money mules are dire. “You can be prosecuted for internet fraud and money laundering. That is a serious crime, which can haunt you for years to come in different ways,” says Marius van Rijswijk (Public Prosecution Service).
Once caught, the chance of conviction is high. A money mule can incur large debts because he or she pays for the damage. In addition, you will have a criminal record and you cannot obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG). This means that certain studies or jobs are out of reach. You can also not use financial services from banks for up to eight years. For example, you are not allowed to have a bank account, but taking out a telephone subscription, loan or mortgage becomes impossible.
Abuse vulnerable people
Often those who make their accounts available to criminals are not even aware of the consequences. “Criminals often deliberately seek out people who are more vulnerable, for example because they are in need of money or have a (mild) intellectual disability. They are extra susceptible to temptation and manipulation and do not always understand the consequences of their actions,” the Police explains.
The Police therefore strongly urges: “Never give your bank card and PIN code to anyone else. Do not make your account available to anyone else. Not even to someone you know. Does something seem too good to be true? Then it often is. Don’t just accept vacancies where you can earn a lot of money quickly and easily.”
Staff
Although the suspects who reported to the police station are punishable, help was also available. Employees from various agencies were also present at the office to provide guidance. In this way, an attempt is made to prevent recurrence. After interrogation, the suspects were told an “appropriate outcome”, with which the cases were closed.
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