Home Office research published on 16 July 2026 found that just 18% of UK adults correctly identified all three fictitious money muling scenarios as illegal. Fourteen per cent of Britons have seen an online money muling recruitment advert, and 6% have been directly asked to move money through their account.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 17 July 2026
- Home Office research published 16 July 2026 shows only 18% of UK adults correctly identified all 3 fictitious money muling scenarios as illegal.
- 14% of Britons have seen an online money muling recruitment advert; 6% have been directly asked to move money through their account.
- 16 to 24-year-olds were most likely to have encountered a broadcasted opportunity, at 25%, more than double the rate for those aged 45 and over.
- 97% of respondents said they would not agree to move money for a stranger, even for payments of up to £300.
- Previous fraud victims were twice as likely to have been targeted for money mule recruitment as non-victims.
KEY FACTS
- The Home Office published research on 16 July 2026 based on two Ipsos UK surveys of over 4,300 people combined, carried out in February and March 2024.
- Only 18% of respondents correctly identified all 3 fictitious money muling scenarios as illegal; 55% misclassified at least one scenario as legal.
- 14% of respondents had seen an online advert or post recruiting money mules in the previous 12 months, and 6% had received a direct personal request.
- 16 to 24-year-olds were the most likely age group to have encountered a broadcasted recruitment opportunity, at 25%, compared with 6% among those aged 65 to 74.
- Previous victims of cybercrime or fraud were around twice as likely to have encountered money mule recruitment as non-victims.
- 97% of respondents said they would not agree, hypothetically, to move money through their account for a stranger, regardless of being offered £50, £150 or £300.
This is a one-off Home Office research report summarising survey findings, not new law or guidance. Moving money through your bank account on behalf of someone else can be a criminal offence even if you did not know the money was linked to crime.
What the research found
The Home Office published research on 16 July 2026 bringing together findings from two surveys carried out by Ipsos UK in February and March 2024, covering more than 4,300 people in total. The research explored how many people have encountered money mule recruitment, how willing they would be to get involved, and how well the public understands that money muling is a crime.
The results point to a significant gap in public understanding. When presented with 10 fictitious scenarios, 3 of which described illegal money muling, only 18% of respondents correctly identified all 3 as illegal. More than half, 55%, wrongly classified at least one illegal scenario as legal, and 7% believed none of the scenarios were illegal.
How criminals recruit money mules
Money muling is the process of moving the proceeds of crime through someone's own bank account on behalf of criminals, sometimes in exchange for payment or another benefit. The research found that 14% of respondents had seen an online advert or post recruiting money mules in the previous 12 months, most commonly on social media, and 6% had received a direct personal request, most commonly by email.
The scenario respondents found easiest to identify as illegal, correctly spotted by 61%, involved a direct personal request from someone building an online relationship. Scenarios framed as a job opportunity or a way to earn extra money, similar to how many real recruitment attempts are disguised, were far less likely to be recognised as illegal, correctly identified by only 37% to 41% of respondents.
Why understanding the law matters
Acting as a money mule can be a criminal offence, whether or not the person involved knew the money was connected to crime. The research found that people who had already encountered a recruitment attempt were less likely to correctly identify similar scenarios as illegal: two-thirds of those with a prior encounter misclassified at least one scenario as legal, compared with just over half of those with no prior encounter, suggesting repeated exposure may normalise the activity for some people.
Despite the gaps in understanding the law, willingness to actually take part was very low across the survey. 97% of respondents said they would not agree, hypothetically, to receive money into their account and pass it on to a stranger, regardless of whether they were offered £50, £150 or £300 in return.
Who is most at risk
Younger adults were substantially more likely to have encountered recruitment attempts: 25% of 16 to 24-year-olds had seen a broadcasted opportunity, compared with 6% of those aged 65 to 74. Previous victims of cybercrime or fraud were around twice as likely to have been targeted as non-victims, which researchers suggested may reflect criminals sharing or selling victims' personal details within their networks.
The research also found that older respondents, aged 55 to 75, were better at correctly identifying all 3 scenarios as illegal than younger age groups, and that non-workers were somewhat better at this than workers.
What this means for you
The Home Office says the research is intended to build a stronger evidence base to help disrupt money mule recruitment and protect people from exploitation, alongside the government's wider Fraud Strategy 2026 to 2029 and Money Mule and Financial Exploitation Action Plan. The report does not announce new rules; it summarises what the surveys found.
For anyone approached with an offer to receive money into their account and pass it on, particularly if it is framed as a job, an online relationship, or a quick way to earn money, the research points to one consistent message: agreeing to move money for someone else on this basis can be a criminal offence, whatever it is called.
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DISCLAIMER
This article is editorial information, not financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Figures were correct at the last review date shown above; verify current rates and rules with the primary sources listed below before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is moving money for someone else always illegal?
It can be a criminal offence to receive money into your bank account and pass it on for someone else, even if you did not realise the money was linked to crime, which is why the research highlights how few people correctly recognise these scenarios as illegal.
How many people have been approached to become a money mule?
14% of respondents had seen an online advert or post recruiting money mules in the past 12 months, and 6% had received a direct personal request, according to the Home Office research.
Who is most likely to be targeted for money mule recruitment?
16 to 24-year-olds and previous victims of cybercrime or fraud were the groups most likely to have encountered recruitment attempts.
What kind of situations are hardest for people to recognise as money muling?
Scenarios framed as a job opportunity or a way to make extra money were the hardest to correctly identify as illegal, compared with a direct personal request from someone online.
Does this research mean new rules on money muling are coming?
No. This is a one-off report summarising survey findings, not a change to the law. It sits alongside existing government efforts including the Fraud Strategy 2026 to 2029.
SOURCES
- GOV.UK/Home Office: UK public experiences, perceptions and understanding of money muling – accessed 17 July 2026
- GOV.UK: Fraud Strategy 2026 to 2029 – accessed 17 July 2026
- GOV.UK: Money Mule and Financial Exploitation Action Plan – accessed 17 July 2026
