Money Muling is when you help criminals (often without realising you’re doing it) by moving money through your bank account. Criminals use this method to hide the source of their crimes, such as fraud, modern slavery and drug trafficking. By participating, you become a “money mule” and that’s a crime. 

Criminals will hope you don’t realise what you’re doing until it’s too late. One transfer may seem harmless, but you could end up with closed bank accounts, damaged credit and a record that follows you for years. All these things may impact your ability to take out credit cards or loans, access finance, and may even cause difficulties securing a job or home.  

So how does it work?

Money muling can start in the same way as many other scams. You might find a post on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook advertising 'easy', 'free', or 'fast' money. They’ll ask you to private message for details, usually with a promise that you’ll make money quickly with little effort.  

Sadly, this is part of a growing trend where young people are often involved. Cifas reports that 40% of people involved in money muling in the first half of 2026 are below the age of 30, with 17% under the age of 21. Criminals target people who they know could use the extra money – students; jobseekers; low-income earners; pensioners, etc.

It’s all intended to lure you in without realising you’re doing anything wrong. Once they’ve got your attention, here’s what might happen:    

An image of a social media post you might see from a fraudster
  • You’re asked to receive money into your bank account and to transfer it out into another account – you get to keep some of the cash for yourself; or 
  • You’re asked for your bank account details and login information so that they can then control the account; or 
  • You’re asked to open a new bank account in your name, then hand over all the details so they can use it in exchange for some cash.   

The money you’re moving through the account is stolen, but they will convince you that you’re just sending money to support a family member or friend or that it’s going into a legitimate investment. 

If someone is already involved, the criminals can often encourage them to recruit partners, friends, or colleagues to move money too. A friend might ask you to move money “as a favour” because they say they are having problems with their own bank account. Before you agree to help, ask yourself: why are they asking me to do this, and is this worth the risk? 

Cifas reports a 69% increase in cases linked to money muling in comparison to the first half of 2025, with more than 13,000 cases being recorded. With serious consequences to this crime, it's important to stay aware of the risk of money muling, the scams that lure people in, and how to avoid being a victim.   

What to look out for

It can often start with:   

  • Fake job adverts, offering “easy money” from home.  
  • Romance or friendship scams – someone you meet on social media or dating websites asking you to help move money. 
  • Investment scams promising big returns quickly. 
  • Impersonation fraud - someone pretending to be bank staff, the police, or even as your acquaintances or relatives. Once they can access your account, they can use it to launder money. 
  • A partner, family member or colleague asking you to move money “as a favour” because they claim they are having problems with their own bank account. 
  • A friend with a “side hustle” that offers quick cash to move money as part of a “business opportunity."

What are the consequences of becoming a money mule?  

There are legal and financial consequences to becoming a money mule. It can lead to convictions of up to 14 years in prison. Your involvement in illegal activity will also flag on a banking sector-wide database which can lead to:    

  • Freezing or closure of bank accounts with no access to your own money. 
  • Existing loans or credit facilities becoming made payable immediately.   
  • Difficulty opening new accounts and applying for credit products, including student finance and mortgages. 
  • A criminal record, making it harder to get jobs, travel or rent a home. 
  • Threats of exposure to family and friends when you try to stop. 
  • Stress, shame, and fear of encounters with the police or family. 

How do I protect myself from becoming a money mule?

  • Do not accept any job offers that ask you to open or use bank accounts to move money - research the company on Companies House or Glassdoor. 
  • Be wary of job offers where all interactions and transactions will be done online.   
  • Be cautious of 'easy money' and 'too-good-to-be-true' offers or investments.  
  • Never let anyone use your bank details – even for “just one transfer." 
  • Never give anyone access to your bank account or agree to open an account in your name which someone else will use.    

If you are a parent or guardian of a young person, please talk to them about this - raising awareness and discussing the consequences can discourage them from making the wrong choices which could then impact them for decades. You can also visit Don’t Be Fooled for practical guidance. Find out more.

 

 

 

What to do if you think you've been a money mule

Stop transferring money immediately and notify your bank.  

If you think you know someone is recruiting money mules, you can protect the victims by reporting it to the local police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.  

If you prefer not to give your details to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously online or by calling 0800 555 111.

If you see content online which you suspect is linked to money muling or is suspicious, click the 'report' button to advise the social media platform to take it down.  

Keep yourself updated with our fraud awareness guidance and report scams when you see them. If you suspect fraud, call us immediately on 0330 355 0355. We're here 8am-6pm weekdays and 12pm-4pm weekends for fraud queries. If you’re outside the UK, call +44 (0)1179 739339.