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This rapidly growing scam – sometimes called mule recruiting – involves fraudsters actively targeting Australian consumers to act as money transfer agents in the sale of goods and services.

Fraudsters are using a range of means to scam consumers, including placing fake job advertisements, sending out unsolicited emails and approaching potential "agents" through online chat rooms.

After being recruited by the fraudsters, money mules receive funds into their accounts which they withdraw and send overseas using a wire transfer service, minus a commission fee.

These funds are usually the proceeds of fraud and those who act as agents in such schemes are effectively laundering the proceeds of crime committed against other consumers.

Westpac recommends
Customers ignore or delete emails from companies suggesting schemes such as these.
Customers should ensure they have installed the latest anti-virus software updates and other security patches on their personal computers, and that they change their passwords on a regular basis.

Be wary of this type of scam – if the job advertisement looks too good to be true, it probably is.