What's a money mule?
A money mule is someone who lets criminals use their bank account to move money. Often the mule doesn’t know what’s really happening, and has been manipulated into believing a cover story, or lured by an offer of payment.
Don’t be tricked into committing a crime
If you let someone use your account for a transfer, you could be helping them move money illegally.
Money muling is a type of money laundering. Money laundering means disguising where money really came from – for example, by moving money through different bank accounts. Criminals recruit people – money mules – to help them do this.
Have you ever been asked to help transfer money by
If yes, you may have been talking to a ‘mule herder’, who was trying to recruit you as a money mule – and if you did what they asked, you may have committed a crime.
A money mule is someone who lets criminals use their bank account to move money. Often the mule doesn’t know what’s really happening, and has been manipulated into believing a cover story, or lured by an offer of payment.
A mule herder recruits money mules. They search your social media profile for information, and then use it to befriend you or trick you into receiving stolen money into your bank account. A herder might approach you online, through a messaging app, or in person.
What money muling looks like
Mule herders lie to get what they want. They might say it’s a quick and easy way to make money, or that they urgently need to receive a payment or send money to someone, but can’t use their own account. They might offer cash or gifts as a reward.
The herder will use the cover story as an excuse to pass you stolen money. They might
Criminals move money this way to hide where it really came from – if you help, you become a criminal too.
What you might see on social media
Mule herders often set up fake profiles on social media and post advertising quick cash or easy investments. When you like their post or message them, they persuade you to follow their instructions by pretending there’s no risk.
Here’s what a mule herding account might look like on social media, and some examples of what they might post
Here’s what a conversation with a mule herder might look like
If you think someone is trying to trick you into money muling, block their account and report it.
Yes. Handling money that came from illegal activity is a crime, even if you didn’t know what you were doing.
If you’re caught acting as a money mule
You could go to prison for up to 14 years
Knowing the warning signs can help you identify mule herders and avoid falling for their tricks.
Look out for
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here are some tips to protect yourself
Young people are easy targets for mule herders – they're often new to managing their finances, and they may not know money muling is a crime, or what could happen if they're caught.
To help young people avoid mule herders, you can
We explain more about how you can help protect young people from mule herders on our Digital Wings blog.