A money mule is someone who lets criminals move money through their bank account, often in exchange for a fee. The person recruiting them is called a herder. They might offer a job, a quick return or easy cash.
But, it's really about laundering money and it could land you in serious trouble.
Watch our top tips in two minutes
Quick, practical advice to help you stay safe from money mule scams.
How it works:
- Fraudsters target young people, those in need of money, and people in vulnerable situations.
- They often appear friendly to convince you to become a money mule, getting you mixed up with organised crime groups.
- The fraudster transfers money to the money mule, who transfers this on to another account for a fee. The stolen money usually comes from fraud or scams.
Red flags to watch out for:
- Someone asking to transfer money to your bank account for you to pass on.
- Someone asking you to open a bank account or apply for a loan in your name for their use.
- Job adverts offering quick and easy money with no experience necessary.
What to do if you’re targeted:
- Report any online offers or contact to the website or social media platform where it appears.
- Break off all contact with anyone making suspicious offers.
- To report money muling, contact the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also contact Crimestoppers online or call 0800 555 111.
- If you've given your personal or banking details to a criminal, tell your bank and then call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit Action Fraud.
- Get advice from someone you trust, like your family, university, or college. Talk about it to keep others safe.
What happens if you get caught
Money laundering funds serious crimes like drug dealing, sexual exploitation, fraud, scams, human trafficking, and even terrorism. It supports organised crime in the UK and abroad. You could face up to 14 years in prison and damage to your financial and professional life. You might lose your job or university/college place, and struggle to access financial products like bank accounts, mortgages, or phone contracts.
How to support young people
Young people are easy targets for mule herders. To support them:
- Talk to them about keeping their bank account and details safe.
- Help them understand that anything can be faked online – profiles, job ads, investment ads.
- Encourage them to be suspicious of anyone they've only met online, especially if they start asking about their bank account or offering money for doing very little work.
- If you notice they have extra money, can't explain where it came from, or are more secretive or withdrawn, speak to them.
- Educate them about what money mules are, and what the consequences are for them personally and wider society.
