Money muling is the crime of moving stolen or fraudulently obtained money through your own bank account on behalf of someone else, usually in return for payment. It is illegal even if you did not know the money was linked to crime, and can lead to a criminal record, a closed bank account, and prosecution.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 17 July 2026
- Money muling is moving stolen or fraudulently obtained money through your own bank account for someone else, usually for a fee.
- It is a criminal offence even if you did not know the money was linked to crime.
- Common recruitment methods include job adverts, social media posts, online relationships and messages promising easy money.
- Only 18% of UK adults can correctly identify common money muling scenarios as illegal, according to Home Office research.
- Warning signs include being offered payment for using your bank account and vague job titles involving "payment processing".
KEY FACTS
- Money muling is the process of moving the proceeds of crime through your own bank account on behalf of criminals, sometimes in exchange for payment or another benefit.
- It can be a criminal offence under money laundering law even if the person moving the money did not know it was connected to crime.
- Home Office research published in July 2026 found only 18% of UK adults correctly identified all 3 tested money muling scenarios as illegal, and 55% misclassified at least one as legal.
- Common recruitment channels include email, social media, messaging apps, dating apps and job adverts, often disguised as "payment processing agent" or "money transfer agent" roles.
- Banks can close accounts used for money muling, and being a money mule can result in a criminal record, prosecution, and difficulty opening bank accounts in future.
- 16 to 24-year-olds and previous victims of fraud or cybercrime are among the groups most frequently targeted for recruitment.
This guide explains what money muling is and how to recognise it. It is not legal advice. Anyone who thinks they may have already been involved in moving money for someone else should contact their bank and Action Fraud as soon as possible.
What is money muling
Money muling is the process of moving money obtained through crime, such as fraud or scams, through your own bank account on behalf of someone else. A criminal deposits money into a money mule's account, and the mule is asked to transfer some or all of it onward, often keeping a small commission for doing so. This makes it harder for investigators to trace stolen funds back to the original crime, since the money passes through an account that appears to belong to an ordinary member of the public.
Some people become money mules knowingly, in exchange for payment. Others are deceived into believing they are doing something legitimate, such as taking a job as a "payment processing agent," helping someone they have met online, or accepting what looks like a genuine money-making opportunity. Home Office research published in July 2026 found that scenarios disguised as a job or a way to earn extra money were far harder for people to recognise as illegal than a direct, personal request.
How criminals recruit money mules
Recruitment happens through two broad routes. "Broadcasted opportunities" are adverts or posts, most commonly on social media, in emails, or through pop-up ads, offering payment for allowing money to pass through a bank account. "Direct requests" are personal messages, most often by email, asking someone specifically to receive and forward money, sometimes from someone the target has been building an online relationship with.
According to the Home Office research, 14% of UK adults have seen a broadcasted money muling opportunity in the past 12 months, and 6% have received a direct request. Younger adults and people who have previously been victims of cybercrime or fraud are more likely to be targeted, potentially because criminals share or sell victims' personal details within their networks for future recruitment.
Why it is illegal, even if you didn't know
Acting as a money mule can be a criminal offence under money laundering law, regardless of whether the person involved understood that the money was connected to crime. Being unaware, or being told a false explanation for why the money is being moved, is not automatically a defence. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of money muling: research shows most people can correctly identify a blatant, personal request to move money as suspicious, but struggle to recognise the same activity when it is dressed up as a job or a money-making opportunity.
Consequences can include the bank freezing or closing the account involved, a criminal record, prosecution, and lasting difficulty opening bank accounts in future, since banks share information about accounts linked to fraud. The person whose account is used can also be personally liable for the funds that passed through it.
Warning signs to look out for
Common warning signs include being offered payment or a commission simply for allowing money to pass through your bank account; a job advert with a vague title such as "payment processing agent," "money transfer agent" or "local processor" that does not clearly explain what the work involves; and being asked by someone you have only met online to receive money on their behalf and send it elsewhere.
Other signs include being asked to open a new bank account specifically for a new "employer" or "client," being told not to discuss the arrangement with your own bank, or being pressured to act quickly. Genuine employers do not typically ask new staff to receive company funds into a personal bank account and forward them onward.
What to do if you're approached, or already involved
If you are approached with an offer that involves receiving and forwarding money in exchange for payment, the safest response is to decline and avoid sharing your bank details or account access with the person or organisation involved. Reporting the approach to Action Fraud, the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, can help build the evidence base that researchers say is currently limited.
Anyone who thinks they may have already moved money for someone else in circumstances that could amount to money muling should contact their bank as soon as possible and consider reporting the situation to Action Fraud. Acting quickly and being open with the bank is likely to lead to a better outcome than waiting.
RELATED GUIDES
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 it illegal to let someone use my bank account to move money?
Yes, it can be a criminal offence to receive money into your account and pass it on for someone else, even if you did not know the money was linked to crime.
How do criminals usually recruit money mules?
Common methods include social media posts, emails, messaging apps, dating apps and job adverts, often disguised as legitimate opportunities such as "payment processing agent" roles.
What happens to a bank account involved in money muling?
Banks can freeze or close an account linked to money muling, and being involved can lead to a criminal record and lasting difficulty opening accounts in future.
What should someone do if they're offered money to use their bank account?
Decline the offer, avoid sharing bank details or account access, and consider reporting the approach to Action Fraud.
What if someone thinks they've already been involved without realising?
Contact the bank as soon as possible and consider reporting the situation to Action Fraud. Acting quickly and openly is likely to lead to a better outcome.
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
