Money Guide for Expatriates in the UAE Be aware of fraud involving Money Mule account scams

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Protect your financial wellbeing by being informed, vigilant and safe against the risk of common fraudulent scams. One of the recent growing threats to financial security is the rise of Money Mule accounts.


What is a money mule account?

A money mule account refers to a bank account which is used (willingly or unwillingly) to facilitate the transfer of illicit funds, often as part of a larger fraud scheme. Money mules are individuals who receive money into their accounts and then transfer the funds to other accounts, often without realizing they are part of a scam.


How money mule scams operate:

  1. Recruitment: Scammers may approach you through job adverts, social media, emails or other channels, offering easily made money (a fee) for minimal work.
  2. Transfer of funds: Once you agree, you may receive funds into your account, which you are asked to transfer to another account, often overseas.
  3. Consequences: Unknowingly, you may have become part of a criminal operation, which could lead to you being criminally prosecuted, the loss of your funds, and damage to your credit score.

Signs of money mule scams:

  • Unsolicited job offers which offer a promise high financial reward for little effort.
  • Requests to transfer funds from one account to another.
  • Pressure to act quickly without proper verification.

How to protect yourself

  • Be skeptical: Always verify the legitimacy of job offers or unusual requests for money transfers.
  • Protect your personal information: Never give your bank details to anyone you do not know or trust, especially if you meet them online.
  • Don’t act on behalf of others: Don't open a bank account in your name to receive and transfer money for someone else.
  • Report suspicious activity: If you receive a suspicious request, report it to your bank or local authorities immediately.
  • Educate yourself: Stay informed about the latest scams and how they operate.

If you believe you have been targeted by fraud, please report it immediately through our official Contact Centre on 600 50 2030.


StaySafe online with authentic websites

If you are in doubt of the authenticity of a website, you can visit the UAE Government website. StaySafe.
Copy and paste any website link you are unsure of into StaySafe and it will check multiple sources for you to see if the site is a scam, phishing attempt or legitimate website. Please note these sources are not complete or error-free, as new types of phishing attempts and well-hidden scams may not be identifiable. StaySafe is one of the many tools and checks available, and additional measures should always be taken to verify the authenticity of a website.

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