WHAT IS A MONEY MULE?
Money mules are often recruited by criminals with promises of making easy money in return for simply accepting deposits into their bank account and then forwarding it on. Those who do agree to “help out” in this way are usually unaware that they are laundering money or that it is a criminal offence, and sometimes a serious one!
How does a money mule scam work?
Usually, it works by a money mule agreeing to share their bank details so that cash can be deposited into their account for them to follow instructions to send it into another bank account. Fraudsters often target people who don’t have a history of criminal activity to make these transactions seem less suspicious to banks.
The individual or unsuspecting mule shares their bank details and the criminals deposit cash - which is gained from nefarious means including Drugs, County Lines, People Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation to name but a few. They are then asked to send the money to another bank account and are paid for doing so. It is a method used by criminals to make their profits more difficult for police to trace and in doing so wash (or launder) the money through various accounts therefore making the money look like it is from a legitimate source.
University students short of money and young people who may not have any idea that what they are getting into are sometimes easy targets for criminals.
Those recruiting often target younger people on social media or messaging apps like Whatsapp with promises of easy money in return for allowing them to deposit money in their bank account.
If you are approached to become a money mule, or offered anything similar to the above, please do not accept it! Then report it to -
