Criminals are constantly seeking new methods to receive and conceal illegally obtained funds. One of the common tactics involves recruiting so-called drops, or money mules.
This information is provided by the Cyberpolice Department of the National Police of Ukraine and reported by the PromPolitInform portal.
A drop is an individual who, for a fee, allows their bank card or account to be used for receiving, withdrawing, or transferring someone else’s funds. Often, individuals are misled into thinking this is legitimate part-time work: they are asked only to accept payments and transfer them forward, keeping a percentage as a commission.
Such offers are particularly dangerous for young people. Social media and messaging apps are filled with advertisements for easy money without experience, promising thousands of hryvnias simply for using a bank card.
At first glance, such work may seem harmless, but the account holder is unaware of the source of the funds arriving in their account.
For instance, fraudsters may deceive another victim, receive funds from them, and then use the drop’s account to facilitate the movement of these stolen assets. Consequently, the account holder may find themselves the subject of an investigation due to suspicious financial activity.
Therefore, offers such as needing a card to accept payments, receiving and forwarding money, earning from transfers, or receiving a percentage for account usage should serve as a warning sign.
Do not share your bank card, account details, passwords, or online banking access with strangers. Furthermore, do not agree to receive funds from unfamiliar sources and transfer them further for a reward.
If you have already accepted such an offer, provided card details, or noticed suspicious activity, stop all transactions immediately. Contact your bank at once and report the situation to the Cyberpolice.
Additionally, parents should discuss these risks with their children. Explain that easy money for using a bank card can be part of a criminal scheme, even if the child does not know who is transferring the funds or where they come from.
More information about current fraud schemes and protective measures can be found on the Cyber Brama portal at stopfraud.gov.ua.
Do not allow your account to be used in illicit schemes. Easy earnings can result in severe legal consequences.
Illustrative photo: Ministry of Women and Child Development / GODL-India
