Money Mules Are Becoming More Rampant, Recognize Their Modus Operandi Before Your Account Is Misused
Author : Berita Valas | Published On : 08 Jul 2026
One of the modus operandi that has now come under scrutiny is money mule, which refers to the use of someone else's account as a channel for transferring funds from fraudulent or financial criminal activities.
The Financial Services Authority (OJK) reminds that scammers increasingly often exploit public bank accounts, merchant accounts, digital wallets, and even cryptocurrency assets to obscure the flow of funds. Therefore, every account holder needs to understand how this modus operandi works to avoid unknowingly becoming part of a criminal network.
Money Mule Works by Exploiting Trust
In many cases, the perpetrators do not directly ask someone to carry out suspicious actions. They first offer part-time jobs, opportunities to earn commissions, or seemingly simple financial administrative assistance.
The victim is then asked to receive a money transfer, send it back to another account, or open a new account for use in certain transactions. Such activities may seem normal, but the accounts used can serve as a means to conceal the proceeds of crime, making it difficult to trace the main perpetrators.
Why is Personal Account a Target?
The perpetrator selects accounts belonging to others because their identities are not recorded as the first recipients of the proceeds from fraud. By utilizing many intermediary accounts, the flow of funds becomes more complex, so the tracing process takes longer.
This is why the public should not provide access to accounts, ATM cards, PINs, or mobile banking services to anyone. Even if promised a reward, such actions can pose risks that are far greater than the benefits received.
Beware of Income Offers That Are Too Easy
One characteristic that often appears in money mule cases is the offer of a job without specific skills but with high pay. The perpetrators usually only ask the victims to provide a bank account to receive transfers or help forward funds to another account.
If you find an offer like this, the public should immediately reject it. Jobs that do not provide an explanation regarding the source of funds or the identity of the company are worthy of suspicion as part of illegal activities.
Investors and Traders Must Ensure the Destination Account
The money mule modus operandi is also often found in investment and trading fraud. Victims are directed to transfer funds to personal accounts or accounts that do not match the identity of the company offering the investment.
Before making a transfer, investors need to ensure that the destination account is truly registered under the name of the relevant company. If there is any identity discrepancy or if they are asked to send funds to a personal account, it is advisable to halt the transaction until all information can be verified through official sources.
Take Immediate Action If You Notice Any Anomalies
If the account has already been used or there are suspicious transactions, do not wait until the losses increase. Immediately contact the relevant bank and report the incident to the authorities so that the tracing process can be carried out as soon as possible.
Save all evidence such as transfer history, conversations, destination account numbers, and communication screenshots. This information is very helpful in the investigation process and expedites coordination with the Indonesia Anti-Scam Centre (IASC) and other relevant institutions.
Conclusion
Money mule is one of the modi operandi that is increasingly being used in various digital financial crimes. Perpetrators exploit the accounts of the public to break the trail of transactions, making it more difficult to trace the funds from fraud.
The best way to avoid such risks is to never lend your account to others, reject job offers that only ask you to receive or transfer funds, and always verify the purpose of each transaction. By increasing vigilance and promptly reporting if any signs of fraud are detected, the public can protect themselves and at the same time help prevent the spread of financial crimes in the digital age.
