https://www.newschannel10.com/2024/12/18/court-documents-amarillo-woman-used-money-mule-money-laundering-scheme/

Federal officials say an Amarillo woman was used as a “money mule” in a money laundering scheme.

Court documents state around October of 2024, a woman opened a business checking account at Amarillo Community Federal Credit Union (ACFCU) under the instruction of an unknown party.

Documents reveal that between Nov. 4-18, the woman received at least 15 deposits totaling $1,352,834 from an auto dealership in the Albany, New York, area.

The credit union questioned the woman about the payments. Documents state she said she did not know why she was receiving the deposits or where they came from.

According to court documents, the woman then initiated wire transfers to other banks and withdrew cash.

At least five times, she took the cash to cryptocurrency ATMs to convert the funds and transfer them to another account. Documents state this was also under instruction by the same unknown party.

Due to the suspicious activity, the ACFCU froze the account. Documents state, the remaining balance in the account as of Nov. 20 was $688,667.

The credit union asked the woman to come in person to close the account and receive a cashier’s check for the remaining balance.

The documents reveal that the woman met with the ACFCU on Nov. 27 to close the account and pick up the check. Law enforcement then arrived at the credit union branch and asked to speak with her, which she agreed to.

The documents state the woman told agents that she began receiving texts from a man she believed to be a country music singer and cousin she previously met at a family funeral.

She told agents the man began texting and emailing her a few months ago with instructions to open the bank account and move the funds.

According to documents, the woman never spoke with the man or met him in person.

The woman thought the requests were strange but thought she was helping out a family member.

Documents stated the requests were also becoming more frequent and time consuming, but the man insisted she continue.

Agents told the woman they thought she might be a “money mule” for the man.

Documents state she was given a “money mule letter” from officials, notifying her that continuing the activity was illegal.

She signed the form and asked if she could give the remaining money to law enforcement.

She also offered to help officials with any further investigation.

Prosecutors are moving to seize the $688,667 from the bank account at this time.