Job scams & money mules
Lesson 7 of 14 in our free Scams & Fraud guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.
Reading is cool. Playing is cooler.
This lesson is a 5-minute game. Free, no sign-up needed.
The story so far
Ronnie Rugpull: Easy £500 a week from your bed! No experience needed. Just let money pass through your account and keep a cut.
Dex: Bro, that's passive income. I'm literally in.
Nana: Dex, that's laundering criminal money. You'd be a money mule — and that's a crime, even if you 'didn't know'.
Chip: Money mules can face prosecution and prison, get their bank accounts closed, and find it very hard to get a phone contract, loan or new account for years.
Questions you'll answer
The 'job' says: move £5,000 and keep £500. What percentage 'commission' is that — for risking a criminal record?
10%. £500 for something that can follow you for years. Not worth it at ANY percentage.
Mo already said yes and money just arrived from a stranger. What now?
Don't move the money, contact your bank straight away, and report it. Yes. Telling your bank fast is the best thing you can do. Being honest early really matters.
Quick facts
- Red flag: “Hiring now! Remote 'payment processing agent'.” — Vague job title about moving money.
- Red flag: “No interview, no experience, start today.” — Real jobs check who they're hiring.
- Red flag: “Receive client payments into YOUR account” — Using your own account for 'clients' = money muling.
- Red flag: “and transfer them on, keeping 10%.” — Keeping a cut of passing money is the mule deal.
- Red flag: “Must be 18+ with an active bank account.” — They want your account, not your skills.
- You must pay £60 for 'training' before your first shift → Job scam. Real employers don't charge you to start.
- Interview, written contract, and payslips with tax and NI → Real job. That's what a legit job looks like.
- 'Like videos and rate products' for big pay, but first top up your account → Job scam. Task scams: small 'earnings' to hook you, then you pay in more and more.
- Asked for your bank details AFTER accepting an offer, for payroll → Real job. Normal — once you've checked the employer is real.
- Recruiter only talks via a messaging app and won't do a video call → Job scam. Real recruiters can show their face and company.