Fake web sites have been used to recruit money mules for quite a while. When cops investigate phishing or carding cases, the trail usually ends with the mule who might not have realized at all that he's actually laundering money for crime gangs.
Here's one site mule recruitment site which is offline by now:
This morning I got a personalized mule recruitment spam. Emphasis below is mine:
From: "Eddie Arredondo" <371cameron@m4m.biz> To: "Mikko Hypponen" <mikko.hypponen> Received: from 4koiahot.0o4xb.aol.com (ppp85-140-200-191.pppoe.mtu-net.ru [85.140.200.191]) by mx1.f-secure.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id B58F167CF2; Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:59:43 +0200 (EET) Subject: Fw: Re: Yuo will want this Job Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 01:01:25 +0400
Yo Mikko.hypponen!
We are a small and relatively Software Development and Outsourcing Company specializing in enterprise application development, system integration, corporate networks and other software solutions for business, finance, and for various types of problems. The company based in Ukraine but at this time we open new office in Bulgaria. We’ve earned ourselves a reputation of a reliable and trustworthy partner working successfully with a number of West European and North American copmanies and providing them with reliable software development services in financial, telecom and media sectors Also we are in search of new partners.
Unfortunately we are currently facing some difficulties with receiving payments for our services. It usually takes us 10-30 days to receive a payment from your country and such delays are harmful to uor business. We do not have so much time to accept every wire transfer and we can't accept cashier’s checks or money orders as well. That’s why we are currently looking for partners in your country to help us accept and process these payments faster.
If you are looking for a chance to make an additional profit you can become our representative in your country. As our representative you will receive 8% of every deal we conduct. Your job will be accepting funds in the form of wire transfers and check payments and forwarding them to us. It is nota full-time job, but rather a very convenient and fast way to receive additional income. We also consider opening an office in your country in the nearest future and you will then have certain privileges should you decide to apply for a full-time job. This is an entry level opportunity in the field of financial services. Our financial professionals work with clients to help them achieve their many financial goals such as saving on taxes.
We therefore solicit your assistacne in remitting this money and facilitating transactions. If you believe you would be able to undertake such a task and are interested in this job, please respond to uaelectronic2@aim.com and send us the following information about yourself:
1. Your Full Name as it appears on your resume. 2. Education. 3. Your Contact Address. 4. Telephone/Fax number. 5. Your present Occupation and Position currently held. 6. Your Age
Please respond ASAP and we will provide you with additional details on how you can become our representative. Joining us and starting business today will cost you nothing and you will b eable to earn a bit of extra money fast and easy.
Should you have any quesitons, please feel free to contact us at the address mentioned above. Looking forward to hearing from you.
