Life in Australia Guide

In Australia, a growing number of international students, working holiday makers, and new migrants are receiving offers along the lines of "we'll pay you a fee to just move money from home." A money mule is someone who receives another person's criminal proceeds into their own bank account — money generated through scams, hacking, drug dealing, and the like — and sends it on to another account, overseas, into cash, or into cryptocurrency, receiving a commission in return. Even if you are not the person who originally committed the fraud, acting as a channel through which that money flows means you have taken part in money laundering, which in Australia can be treated as a federal offence carrying heavy penalties. In other words, this guide is not about "how not to fall victim to a scam" but about "how not to become a tool or accomplice in a crime without realising it."

Money mule operations recruit people through various channels — job ads that look like genuine companies, direct messages on messaging apps and social media, online romance, investment communities, and more. What they have in common is that they get you to do "work" that involves receiving money through your personal account and then sending it on, while promising an easy commission in return.

Never lend or sell your account, identity, SIM, or myGov — not even when a friend or acquaintance asks. As the holder, you are responsible for whatever happens through that account or identity. Phrases like "you just have to lend your name" or "it'll only be for a moment" are signals that the responsibility is being pushed onto you.

• Lending, selling, or transferring your bank account or card to someone else — if the deposited funds are criminal proceeds, you as the account holder bear the responsibility
• Handing over identity information such as your passport, visa, TFN, myGov, or bank login to someone else — accounts, loans, or telecom services could be opened in your name
• Activating a SIM (mobile number) in your name and handing it over for someone else's verification or receiving purposes — it can be misused to verify criminal accounts

Money mule recruitment differs only in appearance; in the end it converges on one demand: "move someone else's money through your account." Knowing the four commonly used approaches will help you spot it early.

Here are the actions to take, in order, when you receive a suspicious money-handling offer. If even one thing seems off, do not proceed — follow the steps below.

• Decline immediately — whatever reason or fee is offered, clearly say you will not use your account as a channel for someone else's money, and end the conversation.
• Cut off information — do not hand over any access, such as your account, card, PIN, myGov, or banking app login. If you have already given it, tell your bank and change your passwords.
• Preserve evidence — take screenshots of the job ad, conversation records, and the other person's contact and account details, and keep them without deleting anything.
• Block and report — block the other person and report to Scamwatch and ReportCyber. For the general reporting process, refer to the scam prevention guide as well.
• If you have already gone along with it — stop any further transactions and, together, notify your bank, report to ReportCyber, and get legal advice from Legal Aid. Carry out any strategy for making a statement with the assistance of a lawyer.

Money mule involvement usually begins with the misconception that "this much should be fine." Here are five common mistakes people make.

• The misconception that "I'm not the one who stole the money, so it's fine" — the act of moving someone else's criminal proceeds can itself constitute participation in money laundering. The same is true even if all you received was a fee.
• Taking lightly a "send money overseas for a commission" gig — this is, in effect, running an unregistered remittance operation and being a money mule. Legitimate remittance businesses require AUSTRAC registration; for the related reporting schemes (TTR / IFTI) and informal money-transfer (hawala) issues, refer to the remittance guide.
• The misconception that "if I say I didn't know, I definitely won't be punished" — you can be held responsible even where you ignored suspicious circumstances (recklessness), so it cannot be taken for granted. If you suspect you are involved, get advice from Legal Aid.
• The idea that "it's an exception because a friend or family member asked" — the account holder's responsibility rests with you regardless of the relationship. The closer the relationship, the more careful you should be.
• Delaying reporting or advice out of visa worries — hiding it can make the situation worse. Report and seek advice immediately, and do not take the visa impact for granted — discuss it with a MARA registered migration agent.