ThinkCritical.eu · Manipulation atlas
Scams and data theftMoney mule
An offer of easy money for passing someone else's money through your bank account – in reality you are helping to launder scam proceeds.
“Working from home” sounds simple: money arrives in your account and you pass it on for a commission, withdraw it or put it into a crypto ATM. That money usually belongs to victims of other scams, and you are helping it disappear. Europol calls money muling a form of money laundering and treats mules as accomplices – even if they did not commit the original fraud.
An offer in a chat: “Earn extra from your phone, one hour a day. Payments from our clients arrive in your account, you send them on and keep 10%.”
How to spot it
- The job consists only of receiving, forwarding or withdrawing money.
- They want access to your online banking, your card, or a new account opened in your name.
- High pay for a few minutes’ work – no contract, no interview, no description of real duties.
- The “employer” exists only in a chat, is based abroad or cannot be traced.
How to check and what to do
- Look the company up in the official business register and contact it via the details on its own website.
- Never give anyone access to your account, online banking or card.
- Money you know nothing about has arrived in your account? Don’t touch it and contact your bank.
- Suspect you are being used this way? Stop transferring money and contact your bank and the police.
Tip: A job where you only pass on other people’s money is not a job. You carry the risk.
Full explanation and exercises:
thinkcritical.eu/en/manipulation-atlas/money-mule