Money Mule Scams

If someone sends you money and requests that you send the money to someone else, this is more than likely a money mule scam.

Money mule scammers attempt to use innocent bystanders to help move stolen funds. These scammers will send illegally obtained money to their victims, telling them they either won a prize, stumbled upon a work-from-home opportunity, or by saying they need monetary help. (Often, online dating platforms attract money mule scammers who will request financial assistance.)

No matter what the situation is regarding a money mule scam, after the scammer sends the victim money through gift cards or wire transfers, they will ask them to send some of it to a "third party" and keep a portion for themselves. The third party is the scammer's account. When the victim deposits the money to the scammer's account, the scammer is less likely to get caught with illegal funds, and the victim is left to deal with the consequences.

How to avoid money mule scams

• Do not accept a job that asks you to transfer money. This is not how normal business is conducted and is likely a scam.
• Never send money to collect a prize. If you must send money to collect a prize, it no longer seems like a prize. This is a money mule scam, and the scammer is trying to get you to move money for them.
• Do not send money to or from an online love interest who has sent you money.

What to do if you suspect you're involved with a money mule scam

• Break off contact immediately with the person you think is trying to scam you.
• Notify your financial institution and the wire transfer or gift card company.
• Report the scam to local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission.

We want to help keep you safe from scammers. To read more content from Fraud Fighters, visit www.thefraudfighters.org.

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