Fraud Awareness

Posted on: 2026-01-26

Have you ever been approached by someone asking to borrow your bank account? While it may seem like a harmless favor for a friend or a quick way to earn extra cash, this is a common tactic used to recruit 'mule accounts' for illegal activities.

Misusing a bank account, whether by sharing your own or managing another person’s or even through negligence and a lack of due care—is a serious criminal offense under Malaysian law. Read on to understand the specific legal consequences under the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2024 to ensure you do not become an unwitting accomplice to financial fraud.

What is a mule account?

A mule account is a bank account used by criminals to receive and transfer funds obtained through illegal activities, such as scams or money laundering. Criminals often ‘recruit’ individuals to provide their bank account details in exchange for a fee or as a favor, effectively turning the account holder into a ‘money mule’.

How do criminals recruit individuals for mule accounts? 

Criminals use various deceptive tactics, often referred to as ‘social engineering’, to manipulate individuals into providing access to their banking facilities. By recognizing these common recruitment methods, you can protect yourself from becoming a ‘money mule’:

• ‘Easy money’ advertisements: Be cautious of social media posts (on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook) promising ‘fast cash’ or ‘side income’ for minimal effort. These ads often lure victims into ‘renting’ or ‘sharing’ their accounts in exchange for a commission.

• Fake job offers: Scammers may pose as employers for ‘Payment processing’ or ‘Financial assistant’ roles. A significant red flag is any job that requires you to use your personal bank account to receive and transfer company funds.

• ‘Account under maintenance’ favours: A stranger or acquaintance may claim their bank account is temporarily frozen and ask to use yours to receive an ‘urgent transfer’ from a relative, offering you a portion of the funds as a reward.

• Romantic manipulation: On dating apps, scammers spend weeks building emotional trust before asking for help with a ‘financial emergency’ or requesting to use your account to receive business payments.

• Influencer-endorsed schemes: Scammers often hack popular social media accounts or use deepfake technology to promote ‘quick income schemes’, leveraging an influencer’s credibility to make the fraud appear legitimate.

• Acquaintance requests: Even people you know might ask to borrow your debit card or account credentials ‘just for a day’. Regardless of the relationship, allowing another person to control your account is a criminal offense under Section 424B of the Penal Code.

Remember: If an offer for money feels too good to be true, or if someone creates a sense of extreme urgency for you to share your banking details, it is almost certainly a recruitment attempt for a mule account.

Is it okay to allow someone else to control my bank accounts or payment instruments?

No. Section 424B of the Penal Code strictly prohibits individuals from giving possession or control of their bank accounts or payment instruments to any other person without lawful authority. 

This is often how mule accounts are created. Never sell, lend, or share your login credentials, bank accounts or debit card details with anyone. Even acting out of negligence or failing to exercise due care over your account can lead to your account being used for mule activity. Being a mule is a criminal offense that can lead to heavy fines, imprisonment, and being blacklisted by all financial institutions in Malaysia.

The penalty: Violators will face a fine of RM10,000 to RM100,000, a prison term of one to seven years, or both.

Is it legal to hold or manage someone else’s bank accounts or payment instruments?

No. Section 424A of the Penal Code states that anyone who, without lawful authority or lawful purpose, has in their possession or control any account or payment instrument of another person at a financial institution is committing an offense. This includes not just physical debit cards, but any means used to initiate a payment or manage an account (e.g., online banking access, mobile apps, or physical security tokens).

The penalty: You can be fined between RM5,000 to RM50,000, imprisoned for six months to five years, or both.

What are the consequences of performing a transaction using my own bank account without a lawful purpose?

Under Section 424C (1) of the Penal Code, engaging in any transaction using your own bank account or payment instrument without a lawful purpose is a serious crime.

The penalty: This carries a heavy punishment of three to 10 years in prison, a fine of RM10,000 to RM150,000, or both.

What if I use someone else's account to perform a transaction without lawful authority or lawful purpose?

This is governed by Section 424C (2) of the Penal Code. Using another person’s bank account or payment instrument to conduct transactions without lawful authority or purpose is strictly prohibited.

The penalty: You may face a term of 3 to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of RM10,000 to RM150,000, or both.

Protect your identity and financial security by maintaining exclusive control over your banking accounts, credentials, and cards. Never disclose your PIN, passwords, or bank account access to anyone, including your family members, regardless of the incentive offered. 

If you suspect your alrajhi bank Malaysia account has been compromised or used for unauthorized purposes, contact our 24/7 Customer Care team immediately at +603 2332 6000 or report the incident to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm daily (including public holidays).

Posted on: 2023-04-18

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Posted on: 2023-05-18

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Posted on: 2023-05-11

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Posted on: 2023-05-13

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Posted on: 2023-05-25

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Posted on: 2023-06-08

Banks will no longer send links in SMSes! Always be careful, scam links will lead to fake websites that can steal your usernames and passwords.
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Posted on: 2023-06-22

Always check your transaction details and if it's not your transaction, press 'Do Not Allow!'
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Posted on: 2023-07-13

Think twice before you respond. Tap 'deny' for apps that want full access over your phone.
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Posted on: 2023-07-20

Received a suspicious call? When in doubt, just hang up and call the official hotline.
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Posted on: 2023-08-17

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Posted on: 2023-09-07

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Posted on: 2023-09-14

Love scammers gain your trust then ask money. Stay alert!
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Posted on: 2023-09-21

Scammers will try to scare or threaten you during the call. If you feel doubtful, just hang up!
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Posted on: 2023-10-12

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Posted on: 2023-10-19

Receive a suspicious call? Put the phone down, check first and protect your bank details!
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Posted on: 2023-01-26

Beware of unusual offers and never download any files .APK! If you’ve been scammed, immediately call +603-23326000 or the National Scam Response Centre at 997 (8am-8pm, daily) and make a police report.
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Posted on: 2023-02-01

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Posted on: 2023-02-09

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Posted on: 2023-02-15

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Posted on:

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Stay safe on your job hunt by learning how to spot suspicious listings! If you’ve been scammed, immediately call our alrajhi bank Malaysia 24/7 Customer Care Consultants at +603 2332 6000 or the National Scam Response Centre at 997 (8am-8pm daily) and make a police report.
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