A money mule is someone who transfers stolen money between various payment accounts, earning commission. They're called mules because, like the animal, these people will help 'carry' something - in this case, stolen money - to another location, often the scammers' account or the account of another money mule. This activity is what's known as money laundering and is illegal.
Scammers' favourite targets are usually the most financially vulnerable and young people in particular.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Recruited via Instagram, WhatsApp or Snapchat"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Scammers recruit young people in their own environment, e.g. through social networks - Instagram, WhatsApp or Snapchat - and also on their class or school discussion forums. And contact isn't just made on-line; young people are also being approached in places they visit regularly or where they're studying.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Easy money? Too good to be true"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"When they recruit their victims, criminals promise them the chance to earn money quickly and easily, by lending their bank card for carrying out transactions, which they say are legal. This actually involves criminal activity. Consequences are severe, up to imprisonment. In case of a minor, parents are held responsible.
Money mules are often not aware that what they're doing is illegal, but would they do it in real life? Imagine someone, who seems trustworthy to you, asking you to take their money to Mexico. Would you do it? Probably not. So don't do it through your bank account either.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"How to avoid becoming a money mule","richBody":{"value":"Visit the Febelfin website (FR version)
Discover the testimonial of Arto (FR version)
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