What is a Money Mule?: A money mule is someone who transfers or moves money on behalf of criminals, often unknowingly. This money can come from scams, human trafficking, drug crimes, or other illegal activity. Criminals recruit money mules through:
- Online job ads
- Social media
- Investment schemes
- Prize scams
- Dating websites
If you’re moving money for someone else, you could be acting as a money mule.
Types of Money Mules (FBI Classification):
- Complicit: Know they’re part of a crime.
- Witting: Ignore obvious red flags.
- Unwitting: Don’t realize they’re involved in a scam.
Important: Being a money mule is illegal, regardless of age or intent. You could face criminal charges, financial harm, and be liable for repaying victims.
If you think you might be a money mule:
- Stop all communication immediately.
- Stop transferring money.
- Notify your bank.
- Report to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.
Protect Yourself (Tips from ABA Foundation & U.S. Postal Inspectors)
- Do NOT use your bank account to transfer money for others.
- Do NOT deposit or endorse checks that aren’t in your name.
- Do NOT create a fake business to deposit suspicious checks.
- NEVER pay to collect a prize.
- NEVER send money to online love interests.
- Do NOT fall for cryptocurrency “investment” pitches.
- NEVER buy gift cards or cryptocurrency for someone you met online.
- NEVER share banking passcodes, verification codes, or PINs.
Resources and Reporting:
- If you have paid scammers, take action to protect yourself. Follow the link here.
- Victims are encouraged to file a police report with their local area station.
- Report phone or mail fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Follow the link here.
- Report online, email, or crypto fraud to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Follow the link here.