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THE BEST LAWYER ANYONE COULD ASK FOR.
The BEST LAWYER ANYONE COULD ASK FOR!!! Todd changed our lives! He’s not JUST a lawyer representing us for a case. Todd and his office have become Family. When we entered his office in August of 2022, we entered with such anxiety, uncertainty, and so much stress. Honestly we were very lost. My husband and I felt alone. How could a lawyer who didn’t know us, know our family, know our background represents us, When this could change our lives for the next 5-7years that my husband was facing in Federal jail. By the time our free consultation was over with Todd, we left his office at ease. All our questions were answered and we had a sense of relief.
A “money mule” is the term given to an individual who transfers stolen goods or money. In most cases, money mules are unknowingly tricked into accepting funds from accounts without the account owner’s authorization, or they unwittingly deposit a fake check into an account at a financial institution. Sometimes, money mules are aware that they are unlawfully handling stolen money and do so in exchange for compensation. The money mule transfers the stolen money to a participant in the scheme via wire transfer or an instant funds transfer, and the money is typically untraceable and unrecoverable. If the mule is investigated, he or she may be required to pay restitution once fraud is determined.
Legal Representation for Money Muling Scams
Anyone who participates in a money muling scam at any level may face investigation by state and federal law enforcement authorities. Since investigators aggressively pursue organizations and individuals believed to be tricking others into becoming mules, it is critical to seek legal representation as soon as possible. A New York criminal defense lawyer can help provide you with legal advice on the best way to handle accusations if you have been charged with participation in a scheme to illegally move money.
What is a Money Mule?
A money mule is someone who moves or transfers stolen funds. They are often recruited through online dating services or through online job advertisements. Job listings may advertise for local processors, money transfer agents or payment processors. When individuals recruit mules via an online dating website, they may act as a romantic interest and ask the mule to forwarding money or payments.
The money is transferred via bank or wire transfer into the mule’s own account, and then the mule wires the money to the participant. The recipient is typically in a foreign country, but he or she may also be stateside.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
The mule generally uses a service like Western Union to immediately transfer money from his account to the recipient. By the time authorities discover that the initial transfer was done without the account holder’s permission or in any other way fraudulent, the funds are untraceable, and the transfer is considered irreversible.
Forms of Money Mule Fraud
Money muling scams can take many forms, including:
Romance money mules.
An individual creates a fake profile on an online dating website, and through direct messages, emails and other methods of contact with a scam participant, a money transfer scam is arranged. A story is fabricated to coerce the mule to wire the stolen funds. Stories may include a need to transfer funds to an ill or elderly family member residing in the mule’s native country or claims of bank wire issues as a result of foreign accounts. The mule ultimately accepts the funds and resends them using Western Union or another instant money transfer service.
Secret shopper scams.
This type of scheme involves coercing someone into acting as a secret shopper in order to test or evaluate a money-service business. The mule is instructed to cash a (counterfeit) check and then transfer funds via MoneyGram or Western Union to “test” the efficiency and accuracy of the services.
Work-from-home scams.
Applicants are tricked by fake job offers into providing personal and financial details so that the “company” may make a deposit into their accounts. Once the counterfeit check or fraudulent deposit is accepted into the account, the mule moves the funds. These work-at-home schemes are perpetrated through spam emails, job search sites, classified sites and online social networking platforms.
These are just some of the more common money muling fraud schemes. There are also instances in which mules knowingly participate in transferring stolen money in exchange for a fee or commission, which may result in charges for intentionally violating U.S. fraud and banking laws.
Money Muling Penalties
Since muling involves defrauding a financial institution, defendants may face bank fraud charges under 18 U.S. Code Section 1344. Any attempted scam or any attempt to defraud a bank or financial institution that is likely to result in obtaining items of value or money from that institution can result in this federal charge. Penalties may include up to 30 years in prison and a maximum $1 million fine.
In addition, depending on the type of muling scam and the amount of money obtained, defendants may also face charges for wire fraud, mail fraud, consumer fraud and computer crimes. Defendants may also be charged with violating New York computer crime and fraud laws
