What is the 'Additional Income' (Money Mules) email scam that I've been made aware of?

The majority of UK bank accounts do not let you make online or cross-border transfers from abroad. Since most online fraudsters tend to be based abroad, they need what is known as 'Money Mules' to launder the funds they receive from their scams.

Money Mules receive funds into their accounts and send it to the fraudsters using a wire transfer service, minus their commission.

Money Mules are recruited in many different ways, including spam emails, genuine recruitment websites, approaches to people whose CVs are available online, instant messaging and newspaper ads.

This scam offers you the chance to earn some Additional Income for a 'few hours' work each week.

But beware: Handling money that's been obtained fraudulently is a crime.

To help protect yourself:

  • Treat any unsolicited job offers with suspicion, especially if the company is based overseas
  • Verify the details of any company you're considering working for
  • Never give your bank account details to anyone you don't know and trust

Ultimately. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

 

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