Before you respond
Requests to move money
Learn money mule scam warning signs, including requests to receive funds, keep a cut, open accounts, use payment apps, or move crypto for someone else.
Reviewed June 10, 2026
Quick answer
A request to move money for someone else can be a serious warning sign, even if it sounds like a job, favor, or relationship request.
Do not use your bank account, payment app, crypto wallet, or new account to receive and send money for someone you do not know and trust.
At a glance
Money mule scams recruit people to receive, move, withdraw, ship, or convert money while keeping a cut.
- A job, romantic contact, or online friend asks to use your bank account, payment app, or crypto wallet.
- They tell you to receive money, keep a portion, and send the rest somewhere else.
- They ask you to open a new account or company to move money.
Do not receive or forward money for someone who contacted you online.
How money mule scams turn favors into risky transfers
Money mule scams ask you to move money for someone else. The request may look like a remote job, romance favor, online friendship, charity task, or business opportunity. You may be told to receive funds, keep a small cut, open an account, buy crypto, or forward money to another person.
Even if the story sounds harmless, moving money can expose you to frozen accounts, fraud reports, or legal trouble. Do not use your bank account, payment app, business account, or wallet for someone who contacted you online. Compare the request with task job scams, romance scams, and fake check overpayment patterns.
What it may look like
"Our remote payment assistant role pays weekly. Receive client funds, keep 10%, and forward the rest today."
Signs to slow down
- A job, romantic contact, or online friend asks to use your bank account, payment app, or crypto wallet.
- They tell you to receive money, keep a portion, and send the rest somewhere else.
- They ask you to open a new account or company to move money.
- They direct you to wire money, use gift cards, deposit cash at a crypto kiosk, or transfer funds quickly.
What to do next
- Do not receive or forward money for someone who contacted you online.
- Do not open an account because someone else tells you to.
- Stop communicating if the request is tied to easy money, romance, or a vague job.
- Contact your bank quickly if money already moved through your account.
- Report suspected money mule activity to IC3.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov when appropriate.
How to report it
- Do not receive, forward, deposit, withdraw, or convert money for someone you do not know and trust.
- Contact your bank immediately if funds moved through your account.
- Report suspected money mule activity to IC3.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov when appropriate.
How Olevo can help
Olevo can give you a calm second opinion before you respond.
Paste the job, romance, or money request. Olevo can help you check whether someone is asking you to move funds for them.
Trusted sources
Money Mules
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI guidance says moving money at someone else's direction can make a person a money mule, even if they did not realize it.
Avoiding a money mule scam
Federal Trade Commission
FTC guidance warns against job or relationship requests that ask you to receive and send money for someone else.
Cryptocurrency and AI Scams Bilk Americans of Billions
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI IC3 reporting names phishing, spoofing, extortion, and investment schemes among the most reported complaint types.
Common questions
What is a money mule?
The FBI describes a money mule as someone who moves illegally acquired money for someone else, sometimes without realizing it.
Is it safe if I keep a small part of the money?
No. Keeping a cut is a common warning sign in money mule and fake job scams.
Can this start from a romance message?
Yes. A romantic contact may build trust before asking to use your account or move money.
Can I get in trouble for moving money for someone else?
Yes. Moving suspicious funds can make you a money mule, even if you believed the job, favor, or relationship was real.