Money muling
What is Risk ?
Digital risk factors associated with their interests and activities
A money mule is a person who lets someone else use their bank account to transfer money, typically to an account used by a criminal organisation. This process ‘cleans’ the money. Once money has been transferred or cleaned, it is easier to use and harder for police to track.
Criminals advertise money muling as a way to earn quick cash. Someone who mules money may keep a small amount of money for themselves, as payment. They recruit people through social media or false job adverts. Most commonly, recruits are young people aged 17-24, who are in sixth form or university.
Money muling is illegal.
Where this can happen
Risks and motivations
Risks
Legal consequences
A young person who engages in money muling is committing a crime. They might be given a criminal record, fined, or face prison. Money muling is illegal even when someone does not know where the funds have originally come from.
Fraud databases and impact on daily life
If a young person is convicted of money muling, they could be added to a fraud database.
Being added to a fraud database can impact a young person's ability to:
- take out a contract, for example, for a mobile phone
- open bank accounts
- rent properties
- apply for a loan or mortgage
Criminal exploitation and gangs
A child or young person who transfers criminal money is at risk of criminal exploitation. For example, becoming involved in criminal gangs.
They could find it hard to stop working for the gang if they are blackmailed or threatened.
Motivations
Reasons a child or young person might money mule include:
- being manipulated
- being threatened
- to earn money quickly
- excitement or status
- they are not aware of the risks
- they do not know it is illegal
A young person might also look to use someone else to launder criminal money for them. For example, using a money mule after making money selling drugs.
What you can do
You might be working with a child or young person who has transferred criminal money.
Having a conversation can be one way to minimise risks and harms. You could talk about:
- their motivations
- money muling being illegal
- risks of involvement with a criminal gang
- how being added to a fraud database can affect them
- how money muling funds organised crime
- the importance of speaking to a trusted adult if unsure or uncertain about something
If a child or young person is money muling because of finance or debt worries, you may need to seek specialist financial advice. It is also important to familiarise yourself with some of the signs of criminal exploitation.
If you have any immediate concerns about the safety of a child or young person you should contact the police by calling 999. If you think that a young person is at risk, follow your safeguarding procedure and [read our safeguarding guidance.- internal link].
Support
A child or young person’s recovery will depend on the type of harm they have experienced.
You might need to seek legal advice if a child or young person has been added to a fraud database or charged with money muling.
- Child Financial Exploitation (CFE) (Crimestoppers) – Website
- Criminal exploitation and gangs (NSPCC) – Website
- Money muling help (National Crime Agency) – Website
- Look closer to spot and report signs of exploitation (The Children's Society) – Website
- Don't be fooled - Money mule tips (CIFAS) – Website
- Money problems (Childline) – Website
Read more about money muling
Share your experience of money muling
You can tell us about:
- other terms you might have heard
- conversations you’ve had with young people
- a related platform or app
- another related risk or harm