Money mules: The next generation of fraudsters?

How cybercriminals are recruiting young money mules – and why ignorance could land them in serious legal trouble

Criminals have found their ideal recruits, and they’re younger than ever. A new report from BioCatch reveals that nearly two-thirds (65%) of money mules in the UK are under 30, with many unaware that they’re facilitating serious financial crime. While social media makes it easier than ever for fraudsters to recruit mules under the guise of ‘easy money’ opportunities, regulators and banks are scrambling to keep up.

Here’s what you need to know about the rising threat of money muling and why cybercriminals are targeting young people in record numbers.

1. What is a money mule?

A money mule is someone who moves stolen or illicit funds through their personal bank account, often at the request of a third party. Sometimes, they know they’re part of a crime; other times, they’re tricked into it. Criminals use mules to disguise money laundering, making it harder for authorities to trace illicit transactions.

“Cybercriminals rely on mules to move fraudulently obtained funds quickly and quietly,” explains Jo Whalley, Director at bigspark. “And with financial hardship rising, they’re finding willing recruits among younger generations.”

2. More than 2 million mule accounts detected globally

The BioCatch report highlights a staggering figure – nearly 2 million mule accounts were detected in 2024 alone. These accounts span 21 countries and 257 financial institutions, underscoring just how widespread the problem is.

With youth unemployment in the UK at 14.8% – more than three times the national average – young people struggling financially are particularly vulnerable. “It’s easy to see why students and jobseekers fall for these scams,” Jo says. “They think they’re signing up for a simple money transfer gig, not realising they could be enabling organised crime.”

3. Money mules are fuelling cybercrime and fraud

Money mule networks are the financial backbone of cybercrime. They facilitate scams, ransomware payments, and even human trafficking by giving criminals a way to clean and move their stolen funds.

Europol estimates that 90% of money mule activity is directly linked to cybercrime. “A single mule account can be used for anything – from romance scams to drug trafficking proceeds,” Jo notes. “These aren’t small-time operations; they’re highly organised criminal ecosystems.”

4. The legal risks: Up to 14 years in prison

One of the most alarming findings of the report is that more than one-fifth (22%) of UK adults mistakenly believe money muling is legal. In reality, those caught acting as a mule – whether knowingly or not – face severe consequences.

In the UK, money laundering convictions can result in up to 14 years in prison. Other countries impose similar penalties: in the US, the average money laundering sentence is 71 months, while in Australia, it ranges from 12 months to life. “Young people often don’t realise that even if they didn’t steal the money, just moving it makes them complicit,” Jo warns. “By the time they’re caught, it’s too late to claim ignorance.”

5. The cost: Over £10 billion laundered annually

The scale of money muling is staggering. In the UK alone, an estimated £10 billion is laundered annually through mule accounts. Cifas reports that in 2023, 37,000 UK bank accounts exhibited mule-like behaviour – meaning they were likely being used to move illicit funds.

And the problem isn’t going away. “Detection methods are improving, but so are the tactics used by fraudsters,” Jo says. “Criminals are using AI, deepfake technology, and encrypted messaging platforms to recruit and coordinate mules at an unprecedented scale.”

6. Social media is driving recruitment

Social media has become a hunting ground for money mule recruiters. Posing as job offers or investment opportunities, fraudsters reach young people through Instagram, Snapchat, and even TikTok.

“You see posts offering ‘quick cash’ or ‘easy side hustles,’ but these are often scams designed to rope people into money laundering,” Jo explains. “The lack of awareness, combined with financial pressures, makes social media the perfect recruitment tool.”



As banks and regulators crack down, criminals will continue to evolve their tactics. The key to prevention? Awareness. “If you’re asked to move money for someone, no matter how legitimate it sounds, think twice,” Jo advises. “Real employers don’t ask you to use your personal account for transactions. If an opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Banks are also stepping up their efforts, using AI-driven fraud detection to flag suspicious transactions and identify mule activity faster. But stopping money muling requires collective action – from financial institutions, law enforcement, and everyday individuals. “Every money mule that gets recruited makes it easier for criminals to continue scamming innocent people,” Jo concludes. “The more we educate people, the harder we make it for these networks to operate.”