FBI Warns Illinoisans of Sinister Scam That Can Get Them Arrested

I always figured that I'd be too smart to get tricked into breaking the law without even knowing it, but it turns out that I was naive. The FBI is warning Illinois residents that there's a scam going around that can turn the tables on them and get them arrested, too.

The FBI shared a bulletin about a scam that is truly sinister and it preys on those in Illinois that are looking for work and/or need financial help. It's a scam known as money mules and the FBI says you can be tricked into breaking the law yourself.

It can begin with a job offer or a romance. The victim will be asked to open a bank account using their real identity and then the perpetrators will transfer money to that account and ask the victim to transfer the money to a different account while keeping a sum for their "services". What's happening is that you're helping criminals launder money they've obtained through illegal means.

Fake romance episodes are included in this where a victim will be tricked into transferring money to a villain and it happens in Illinois all the time. As a matter of fact, the Department of Justice said Illinoisans have lost $17.8 million dollars in these types of romance scams. It's a terrible way to rip someone off, cause them legal problems and break their heart all at the same time.

The FBI says if you have a job offered to you that has little if any responsibility descriptions and money transfers are a part of it, you're likely involved in something illegal.