Money Mules (Job Vacancies)
Money Mules are people recruited by criminals to help transfer stolen or fraudulently obtained money from bank accounts. Money Mules can also be known as ‘money transfer agents’.
Criminals pose as employers and dupe targets into laundering money on their behalf. They contact prospective victims with “job vacancy” advert online, on job search websites or in newspapers. These jobs are usually advertised as ‘Financial Manager’ or ‘Payments Clerk’ with no requirement other than having a bank account. The mule accepts the “job” and in doing so becomes involved in money laundering, which is a criminal activity.
Once recruited a Money Mule receives stolen funds into their account, this is followed by a request to transfer/forward the funds, minus their commission, usually overseas, using a money/wire transfer service. The money the mule is transferring is stolen, and what they are doing is called money laundering, which is illegal.
Key Advice
- Thoroughly research any work from home opportunities and do not get involved unless you are sure the business is legitimate. Verify any company that makes you a job offer and check their contact details (address, landline phone number, email address and website).
- Be very careful of unsolicited offers or opportunities to make easy money.
- Be especially wary of job offers from people or companies overseas as it will be harder for you to find out if they are legitimate.
- Never give your bank account details to anyone unless you know and trust them.
- Never allow your bank account to be used by someone else.
- If a job sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.