A Department of Defense employee has been indicted for allegedly acting as a money mule and laundering millions of dollars on behalf of overseas scammers, according to an announcement by United States Attorney David Metcalf. Samuel D. Marcus, 33, from Oreland, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, multiple counts of illegal monetary transactions, and money laundering through illegal concealment.
Prosecutors allege that between July 2023 and December 2025, Marcus worked as a Logistics Specialist with the Department of Defense while communicating regularly with a group of Nigerian-based fraudsters using aliases such as “Rachel Jude” and “Ned McMurray.” These individuals are accused of orchestrating various wire fraud schemes—including romance scams, cyber fraud, tax fraud, financing fraud, and business email compromise—that resulted in significant financial losses for victims in the United States.
The indictment states that these overseas actors used a network of U.S.-based money mules to move the proceeds from their fraudulent activities. Victims were instructed to transfer funds into accounts controlled by these mules—including those operated by Marcus.
Under direction from the scammers, Marcus is alleged to have conducted quick financial transactions that converted victim funds into cryptocurrency before moving them into foreign accounts. The indictment claims Marcus deposited and transferred millions through his personal and business accounts despite knowing that “Rachel Jude” and “Ned McMurray” were involved in sophisticated fraud schemes. Authorities also say he misled both banks and law enforcement about the origin of these funds by submitting fraudulent invoices intended to make the transactions appear legitimate.
According to prosecutors, Marcus continued his role as a money mule even after FBI agents informed him that his accounts were being used for stolen funds consistent with money laundering activity.
If convicted on all charges, Marcus could face up to 100 years in prison, three years’ supervised release following incarceration, and fines totaling $2 million.
The investigation was led by FBI Philadelphia’s Fort Washington Resident Agency with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Samuel S. Dalke is prosecuting the case.
United States Attorney David Metcalf stated: "The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court."
