Parcel mule scam

The parcel mule scam, also known as the reshipping scam, involves scammers and unsuspecting victims handling goods[1] to other countries. In some ways it is similar to the money mule scam. Scammers use fake advertising[2] to hire mules. Items are bought with stolen cards,[2] and since the goods are typically re-sold once shipped, this scam can be viewed as an indirect form of money laundering.

Example

One famous scam was organized under the "Air Parcel Express" corporate name.[3] Criminals purchased items in the United States[1] and sent them via mules[1] to Russia and Belarus,[3] where they were then sold. Items included iPods, PlayStations, smartphones, and laptops.[3]

References

1. Leyden, John (28 October 2008). "Parcel mules scam exposed: Cybercrook, keen phisherman seeks reliable partners on dating sites". The Register.
2. Greek, Dinah (27 October 2008). "Criminals dupe vulnerable into handling stolen goods: Fraudsters targeting women on dating websites in particular". Computeract!ve. Archived from the original on 31 October 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
3. RSA FraudAction Research Lab (12 November 2009). "Deep Inside a Reshipping Scam: Mules Victimized by "Air Parcel Express"". Archived from the original on 13 August 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2015.