Threat actors are using romance scams to trick U.S. citizens into acting as money mules, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Journal cites the example of Garrick Stafford, a 50-year-old Texas man who lost $65,000 and unwittingly laundered $50,000 for an international crime ring after falling for an online scammer posing as an attractive woman.

Notably, Stafford was texting with the scammer all summer before the individual first asked for money, claiming that she needed $150 to pay her cellphone bill. Stafford immediately recognized this as a red flag and blocked the individual. Months later, however, he unblocked her, and they began texting again.

Threat actors are using romance scams to trick U.S. citizens into acting as money mules, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Journal cites the example of Garrick Stafford, a 50-year-old Texas man who lost $65,000 and unwittingly laundered $50,000 for an international crime ring after falling for an online scammer posing as an attractive woman.

Notably, Stafford was texting with the scammer all summer before the individual first asked for money, claiming that she needed $150 to pay her cellphone bill. Stafford immediately recognized this as a red flag and blocked the individual. Months later, however, he unblocked her, and they began texting again.

Source: KnowBe4
Source Link: https://blog.knowbe4.com/warning-romance-scammers-are-targeting-us-citizens-for-money-laundering