A Fayette County woman has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for her role as a "money mule" in a foreign-based scam conspiracy that defrauded victims and used their stolen identities.
Elizabeth Conrad, 55, of Ramsey, admitted guilt to several charges including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, access device fraud, money laundering by concealing the nature of fraudulent proceeds, and aggravated identity theft. She was also ordered to pay $78,480.26 in restitution to the victims.
“Foreign-based fraud conspiracies rely on money mules residing within the U.S. to receive their illicit proceeds and distance themselves from prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Elizabeth Conrad knowingly supported the fraud conspiracy, ignored multiple warnings from law enforcement and laundered proceeds from victims.”
Court documents reveal that between 2019 and 2022, Conrad worked with foreign scammers to target U.S. victims. As a money mule—a person who receives and moves funds or valuables at another’s direction—Conrad accepted packages at her home containing cash, checks, gift cards and electronics sent by victims through the mail. Despite knowing these items were obtained through fraudulent means, she repackaged them and forwarded them to co-conspirators.
In addition to handling physical goods, Conrad received deposits into her bank account from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans acquired through fraudulent applications on two occasions. She also tried depositing forged checks and transferred funds using cryptocurrency on behalf of her associates.
Acting Inspector in Charge Mary Johnson of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated: “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate fraudsters who utilize the U.S. Mail to perpetuate financial schemes to defraud others to enrich themselves. Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims including those most vulnerable.”
Conrad’s convictions related further to her use of stolen identities; she received debit cards issued under other people’s names at her home in Ramsey and used them for withdrawals locally in Ramsey and Vandalia. Authorities determined that Conrad and others used at least 69 fake debit cards resulting in over $30,000 in unauthorized charges.
The investigation was led by the St. Louis Field Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross prosecuting.
