Overview
Money mule scams trick people into moving money or packages on behalf of criminals. These scams often appear as job offers, favors, or requests from someone the victim believes they trust.
Participating in a money mule scheme—even unknowingly—can have serious legal and financial consequences.
How These Scams Work
- Requests to deposit, withdraw, or transfer money
- Instructions to receive or ship packages
- Promises of easy or fast income
- Pressure to act quickly or keep the request secret
Connection to Job Offers
Many money mule scams begin as fake job offers. These offers may claim that moving money or packages is part of a legitimate role. Students are frequently targeted through employment-related messages.
What You Should Know
- Never move money that isn’t yours
- Legitimate employers do not ask employees to use personal accounts
- Secrecy and urgency are common red flags
Additional Questions
- For UM-related help, contact the UM IT Helpdesk and the UM Information Security Office.
- For personal identity or financial fraud concerns, contact your financial institution as soon as possible and consider visiting IdentityTheft.gov for recovery guidance.
Additional Resources
FBI: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/money-mules