Title: Georgia Woman Indicted in $30 Million Money Laundering Operation

Arrest of Monique Wheeler

• On March 3, 2020, Monique Wheeler, a former employee of the Georgia Department of Human Services, was indicted and arrested by the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Wheeler was one of 24 individuals charged in a large-scale fraud and money laundering scheme.

The Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme

• The defendants, including Wheeler, conspired to commit money laundering through various types of fraud.

  • Business email compromise schemes
  • Romance fraud scams
  • Retirement account scams

• Victims were tricked into transferring funds into the defendants’ control, leading to losses exceeding $30 million.

Establishing Sham Companies and Bank Accounts

• The defendants created multiple sham companies with no real business operations or physical premises.
• They opened numerous corporate bank accounts at various financial institutions to facilitate the inflow of fraudulent money.
• Additionally, they used personal bank accounts, some with false identities and victims’ names.

Circulating the Laundered Money

• Once the funds were deposited, the defendants swiftly withdrew the money and circulated it amongst themselves in a complicated web of transactions.

Collaborating Agencies

• OIG Investigator Jonelle Vernon collaborated with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General during the investigation.
• The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is taking the lead in the prosecution.

Stay Vigilant and Report Suspected Fraud

• This ongoing case highlights the importance of being vigilant and aware when dealing with potential financial scams.
• If you believe you have been affected by fraudulent activity, contact your financial institution and local law enforcement for assistance.