One person charged with identity theft, money laundering in Illinois

ILLINOIS — A Fayette County woman has been indicted on 19 counts related to a conspiracy to defraud victims and use stolen identities, federal prosecutors announced.

Elizabeth Conrad, 54, of Ramsey, is accused of working as a “money mule” for scammers from June 2020 to September 2022.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, access device fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.

“Criminal conspiracies are as varied as the creative minds behind them, limited only by the ingenuity of the con artists orchestrating the scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.

“Be extremely cautious anytime someone you have never met offers investments, employment, or asks for money, electronics, or your personal information—it’s likely a scam.”

According to court documents, Conrad allegedly received packages containing cash, checks, gift cards, and electronics from fraud victims and then forwarded them to her co-conspirators.

She also attempted to deposit stolen checks and transfer funds using cryptocurrency.

Authorities say Conrad and her co-conspirators used victims’ names to obtain debit cards, which she allegedly used for cash withdrawals and purchases.

The indictment details 10 fraudulent transactions at ATMs and gas stations in southern Illinois between March and June 2022.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use,” said Ruth Mendonça, Inspector in Charge of the Chicago Division. “Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims, including the multiple individual consumer and business victims in this investigation.”

If convicted, Conrad faces up to 20 years in prison for mail fraud and money laundering, 10 years for access device fraud, five years for conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence for aggravated identity theft.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service St. Louis Field Office is leading the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross is prosecuting the case.