“Imagine, a stranger writes to you on a social network or a letter arrives in the mail. They offer simple remote work: accept funds to your card and send them further. They promise 5-10 thousand hryvnias per month and a few minutes of “work” per day. It sounds attractive, but it's a trap,” explains police captain Andriy Parkhomenko, head of the 9th department of the Cybercrime Countermeasures Department in Kyiv.
Always apply the rule of “too good to be true.” Before even considering such an offer, question the source and logic of such generous “easy money.” Legal work always requires some effort, skill, or time.
This is how they recruit droppers, or “money mules.” These are people who knowingly or through ignorance allow funds obtained through fraud, cybercrime, drug trafficking, or human trafficking to be transferred through their accounts. For criminals, such a card is a tool that covers their tracks. For the owner, it is a risk of criminal prosecution.
For criminals, “mules” are expendable. Once a card or account is discovered by law enforcement or the bank, they simply move on to the next one, leaving the previous one alone to deal with the consequences.
Most who agree are unaware of the consequences. The law does not exempt from liability by the formula “I did not know.” Droppers are often the first to be caught, because it is their accounts that are visible in the chain of transfers. Consequences can include fines, confiscation of property, and imprisonment.
If you suspect you have been unknowingly involved, consult with a financial crime attorney immediately before giving any testimony to law enforcement. They will be able to explain your rights and suggest the best course of action.
Who are they most likely to recruit? Young people and students, migrants, people without a stable income, the unemployed, and other vulnerable groups. They are pressured with promises of “easy money.”
How to recognize a dangerous “vacancy”:
- “Duties” are reduced to transfers without any job descriptions.
- No education or experience requirements. While there are entry-level positions with no experience, any role that involves handling significant amounts of money will require a rigorous background check and specific qualifications or training that scammers completely ignore.
- Communication only online, without meetings or contracts.
- The promises seem too generous.
- They ask for a photo of a card, passport, or full bank details.
- Correspondence is conducted from a free mail address, not from a corporate address.
Special attention is paid to “foreign companies” without an official representative office in Ukraine. It is difficult to verify their legality, so fraudulent transactions are often carried out through them.
What to do if you are already involved. Immediately stop all transfers and communication. Notify the cyber police (you can leave a complaint online), describe the situation and attach screenshots of the correspondence. Contact the bank whose card was used, ask them to check the transactions and, if necessary, restrict access.
How to stay safe in the future. Check who is writing to you and what company they represent, look for legal information, website, open reviews, registration. Avoid “part-time jobs” where they ask you to “just make money.” Remember: quick money without effort in most cases means a risk to your freedom.
Be careful. The card is your responsibility. One “easy” transfer can turn into a criminal case.
