CAPE GIRARDEAU – A woman from Dunklin County, Missouri on Wednesday admitted acting as a money mule in the theft of $565,000 from a Bank of America account.
Sheri L. Reeves, 55, of Kennett, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau to one count of aiding and abetting bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and one count of wire fraud. She admitted to acting as a money courier or “money mule,” transferring money obtained by fraud to co-conspirators. On June 9, 2020, Reeves opened an account at a Bank of America branch in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Sometime before Oct. 21, 2020, Reeves added the name of the fraud victim to the account. Reeves’ co-conspirators used fraudulently obtained account information to access the victim’s account and transfer a total of $565,000 to Reeves’ account in three separate electronic transfers.
Reeves then sent the fraud proceeds to others using cashier’s checks obtained in Tennessee and Arkansas and via a CoinFlip cryptocurrency ATM in Dunklin County. She also sent her account information to others and withdrew or attempted to withdraw the proceeds in cash or by check, her plea agreement says.
Reeves is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 13, 2025. The bank fraud charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. The conspiracy and wire fraud charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hahn is prosecuting the case.
If you believe you are participating in a money mule scheme or a victim of one, please contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaints Center at ic3.gov or contact your local FBI office.