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ACCOUNT mules are individuals whose bank accounts are used to receive, transfer, and disguise illicit funds.

Without them, scam syndicates would struggle to move money quickly, evade detection, and ultimately profit from their operations.

Many account mules are not hardened criminals. They are often ordinary people such as housewives, students, young job seekers, gig workers, individuals facing financial hardship, and even professionals.

Recruitment happens through fake job advertisements promising easy income, social media offers for part-time work, requests from acquaintances or romantic partners, or online platforms that present the activity as harmless financial assistance.

The language used is deliberately misleading such as “helping to transfer funds” or “earning commission,” obscuring the reality that the individual is being used as part of a criminal operation.

The legal consequences for account mules are serious, regardless of whether they perceive themselves as victims.

Under Malaysian law, individuals may be investigated or charged under provisions relating to cheating, money laundering or abetment of criminal activity.

Even where prosecution does not occur, the repercussions can be severe and long-lasting.

Bank accounts may be frozen or blacklisted, individuals may be flagged within financial systems, and their ability to open new accounts or obtain credit may be compromised.

It is also important to understand that recruitment into mule activity is not random.

Scam syndicates focus on individuals who are financially vulnerable, those seeking quick income, or those who may lack awareness of the risks involved.

They exploit trust, urgency, and need, often presenting the opportunity in a way that appears legitimate and low-risk.

This reflects a broader shift in organised crime, where coercion is increasingly replaced by co-option, drawing ordinary individuals into criminal ecosystems without them fully appreciating the consequences.

The message, therefore, must be clear. If someone asks to use your bank account, requests that you transfer money on their behalf, or offers easy commission for financial transactions, the safest response is to refuse.

No legitimate business operates in this manner. A bank account is not merely a transactional tool; it is an extension of one’s identity and carries legal responsibility.

Once it is misused, the consequences are not easily undone.

Addressing this issue requires a collective response. Public awareness must go beyond general warnings and focus on how these schemes operate in practice.

Financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement agencies must continue to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and disrupt recruitment networks.

At the same time, education efforts should emphasise that acting as an account mule is not a minor or technical wrongdoing, but a critical enabler of organised crime that directly contributes to the victimisation of others.

Scams succeed because they are able to recruit people to sustain them. The promise of easy money is often the entry point, but the consequences extend far beyond any short-term gain.

Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid

Criminologist and senior lecturer Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya

The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: Forum@dailyexpress.com.my