In Daugavpils, the police hold a minor « money mule » / day for involvement in the fraud scheme
Officials from the South Latgale District Investigation Division received information that on May 12, a woman born in Daugavpils was called by an unknown person, pretending to be a daughter of a calling person and claimed that she had been injured in a road accident. Fraudsters asked for money to be transferred to another person.
After a conversation, an unknown person, or « money mule, » came to the woman’s place of residence. The injured person handed over 7,000 euros to the « money mug ».
By explaining the circumstances, law enforcement officers identified a person involved in a criminal offense. On May 20, law enforcement officers detained a minor born in 2008, who acted as a « money mule » in this scheme. The police have information that the detainee may also be involved in other episodes of fraud. The person had not previously been in the view of the police.
Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the person under the first paragraph of Article 177 of the Criminal Law, namely for obtaining foreign property or rights to such property, abusing trust or deceit. This provides for a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment or temporary imprisonment, probation monitoring, social work or fine.
The VP warns citizens that, upon request of unfamiliar callers, cash or bank cards should not be transferred to strangers, and to disclose access data for bank accounts.
« Such telephone conversations must be stopped immediately, neither police nor other public authorities require such actions, » the law enforcement reminds.
The VP urges citizens to be careful and remind their relatives, especially the elderly, the financial security conditions.
The VP also invites young people not to engage in fraud schemes, even if it seems to be an easy way to make money. Law enforcers recall that, despite the circumstances and the reasons why persons are involved in criminal schemes, it is important to realize that this is illegal and criminal.
