Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty In Banking Scam Involving Money Mules

Vyacheslav Khaimov of Brooklyn has pleaded guilty to charges for his role in a massive banking scam that has been operating in several countries since 2015 and cost victims over $1 million in losses, reports On The Wire. Khaimov allegedly made more than $230,000 via the scheme.

According to the FBI, several criminals based in different locations carried out the fraud using malware to illegally access bank accounts and transfer the stolen cash into their accounts via "money mules."

A police complaint described money mules as "…unsuspecting individuals who believe they are working for a legitimate 'work from home' business. As part of their 'employment,' the mules are instructed, typically via email, to open a bank account and receive the funds that have been removed from victims' bank accounts." This money is then allegedly moved into the criminals’ account.

FBI says many of the unsuspecting money mules used by the gang as a front were recruited via email or phone by someone called Samuel Gold who no one had ever seen.

Investigation is continuing.

Read here for details.