Cybersecurity Reach Foundation
← All scam types

Money Mule / Asset Transfer scams

Victims recruited to move money or goods, often unknowingly laundering funds.

Warning signs

  • requests to receive and forward payments
  • excuses about processing delays

Where it shows up

EmailSocial

How to protect yourself

  • Slow down. Urgency and pressure are the scammer's main tool — a real request survives a few minutes of checking.
  • Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto at someone's instruction — those are chosen because they can't be reversed.
  • Don't click links or call numbers from an unexpected message. Reach the company using contact info from its official website.
  • Never share a verification code, password, or remote access to your device with someone who contacted you.

Think you've been targeted?

If you sent money or information, act quickly — our free recovery plan walks you through stopping the loss, reporting it, and protecting your identity, step by step.