SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Money Mules – What Are The Risks?
Law Enforcement is changing their attitude about Money Mules! You cannot hide – they will come for you if you do not report this first!
#YourAccountYourCrime – Don’t Become A Money Mule!
Criminal organizations often rely on money laundering to conceal the origin of their illicit funds. The aim is to make funds appear legitimate and at the same time distance criminal groups from prosecution. This action also makes it difficult for law enforcement to trace money trails.
Money mules are people who knowingly or, in certain cases, unknowingly help criminal organizations launder their illicit profits. They do this by providing their own accounts to help receive and transfer fraudulent funds, thereby “legitimizing” it.
#YourAccountYourCrime
To highlight this threat, INTERPOL is launching its #YourAccountYourCrime campaign. This two-week campaign (10-26 August 2022) will raise awareness of money mules and provide tips on how to stay safe.
How are money mules recruited?
Criminals recruit money mules in various ways. For example, some individuals are lured with the promise of financial gain or they receive a commission for their service. In other cases, they are motivated by trust or are solicited via online scams. Others provide support because they believe they have a romantic relationship with the individual who is asking for help.
The #YourAccountYourCrime campaign focuses on four key ways criminal organizations recruit money mules:
- Job scams: you are contacted about a new job without having applied to any position and where the “employer” doesn’t provide any details about their company;
- Romance scams: you are contacted online via social media or a dating platform;
- Investment scams: you receive a message to make big returns on an investment relatively easily;
- Impersonation scams: calls or messages from individuals pretending to be from courier companies or government agencies asking you for your personal/bank details.
Tips To Help You Avoid Becoming A Victim
- Be suspicious of anyone who wants to use your bank account to receive and forward money.
- Never give your financial details to someone you don’t know and trust.
- If you suspect you’ve been used as a money mule, cease all communications and report it to your bank and the authorities.
What Are The Implications?
The #YourAccountYourCrime campaign will highlight the fact that you may face prosecution by acting as a money mule. “If you use your account, it could also become your crime!”
This means that you may still be found complicit as part of a money-laundering scheme even if you weren’t aware of how your bank account was being used.
Project TORAID
Project TORAID – fighting transnational financial crime in Southeast Asia. This awareness campaign comes under Project TORAID. The overall goal of the TORAID initiative is to strengthen global safety and financial security within Southeast Asia. Amongst key activities, this project supports member countries in identifying and investigating illicit financial flows.
If You Are Or Were A Mule?
If you think you have been used by criminals to funnel or launder money follow these steps immediately – you have NO TIME to waste!
- Contact a local criminal defense attorney to explore your options and rights.
- Report to your local police – tell them EVERYTHING. Have your attorney with you to help.
- Report any misuse of your financial accounts to the financial institution or bank.
- Make sure you have zero further contact with the criminals.
- Join a professional online crime victims’ support group (such as with SCARS) – this may help your defense if it proves necessary.
- Find a local trauma counselor or therapist.
If you do not do these things, the police will eventually show up at your door and you may be arrested and face prosecution.
To learn more about Money Mules & Money Laundering Article Catalog
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Table of Contents
- Interpol Launches Project TORAID
Fighting transnational financial crime in Southeast Asia - Money Mules – What Are The Risks?
- #YourAccountYourCrime – Don’t Become A Money Mule!
- #YourAccountYourCrime
- How are money mules recruited?
- Tips To Help You Avoid Becoming A Victim
- What Are The Implications?
- Project TORAID
- If You Are Or Were A Mule?
Rapid Report Scammers
In the U.S. & Canada
U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988
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ARTICLE META
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
![New Global Interpol Campaign Against Money Mules [VIDEOS] niprc1.png1 150x1501 11](https://scamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/niprc1.png1_-150x1501-11.webp "New Global Interpol Campaign Against Money Mules [VIDEOS] niprc1.png1 150x1501 11")
They should do something to make Google and such sites to get the ones that advertise as they have all the means to find them