How to spot Money Mules

Money mule adverts or offers can take a variety of different forms and they may even copy a genuine company's website and register a similar web address to add authenticity to the scam. These adverts will normally state that they are an overseas company seeking "UK representatives" or "agents" to act on their behalf for a period of time, sometimes to avoid high charges for making payments, or local taxes. The advert may be written in poor English with grammatical and spelling mistakes and they may urge you not to inform the bank or the police about the reason for making the payments. The adverts may seek people with accounts at certain banks, or internet payment systems.

If you have disclosed your bank account details or received funds into your account for what you think could be a money mule scam you should contact your bank immediately.

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If you receive a suspected money mule email, please forward it to us. Remember:

Be wary of any unsolicited offers or opportunities for work, especially if the company is based overseas.

Verify the details of any company that you are consider dealing with and never give your bank account details to someone you don't know or trust.

Contact your bank immediately if you think that you may have become involved in a money mule scam.

If you see an opportunity to make some easy money and the offer seems too good to be true, then it probably is!

The nature of the work that the company will claim to be involved in can vary, but the specifics of the job being advertised invariably means using your bank account to move money.

The advert may be written in poor English with grammatical and spelling mistakes.