Money-mule recruitment scam: كيف يعمل وعلامات التحذير وماذا تفعل
Identity theft · alto
Gangs need accounts in other people's names to receive and scatter scam proceeds. They recruit online with offers like "earn money renting your account", "financial assistant job" or "receive and forward payments".
People open digital-bank accounts or hand over logins in exchange for a commission. Others have stolen IDs used to open accounts without their knowledge.
Victims' money flows in and quickly out to other accounts. When the fraud is disputed (for example through Pix's MED), the mule account holder is the one who shows up — and may be investigated for fraud or money laundering.
Sinais / Signs
- Offer to "rent" your bank account or Pix key.
- Job that consists of receiving and forwarding money.
- Request for login, password or card in exchange for a commission.
- Notice of an account opened in your name that you don't recognise.
- Unexpected deposits followed by a request to transfer them.
Prevenção / Prevention
- Never lend, rent or sell your account, card or Pix key.
- Distrust jobs that involve moving other people's money.
- Protect your ID and don't send selfies with ID to strangers.
- Regularly check the Central Bank's Registrato service for accounts and Pix keys in your name.
- Talk to young relatives about the criminal risk of this "side gig".
O que fazer / What to do
- Stop using the account and contact the bank to close or freeze it.
- If your ID was used without your knowledge, file a police report and ask the bank to close the fraudulent account.
- Seek legal advice if you already lent your account, so you can cooperate with the investigation.
- Change passwords for email, banking and social media, turn on two-step verification and sign out of other devices.
- In the US, report to the FBI IC3 (ic3.gov) and, if your identity was used, follow the plan at identitytheft.gov.
FAQ
Is lending my account a crime?
It can be. People who let their account receive scam money may be investigated as participants in fraud or money laundering, even if they claim not to know the source.
How can I find out if an account was opened in my name?
In Brazil, check the Central Bank's Registrato service, which lists your relationships with institutions and Pix keys under your tax ID.
Finsiders — Novo MED do Pix passa a ser obrigatório · Planalto — Lei 14.155/2021 (fraude eletrônica) · FBI IC3 — Internet Crime Complaint Center · IdentityTheft.gov (FTC)