Scam library
Money forwarding traps
Someone asks to route money through your account, leaving you handling funds linked to other people's losses.
What it looks like
Fictional example: My account is temporarily unavailable. Receive this transfer, keep $100, and forward the rest for me.
Fictional example: We need a local payment helper. Use your own bank account to receive customer funds and send them onward.
How it works
A contact asks you to receive money and move it elsewhere, sometimes offering a fee or presenting it as a favor. The funds may come from fraud or stolen accounts. You can face reversed deposits, account restrictions, and questions about transfers made in your name.
Warning signs
- Someone needs your personal account to move their money.
- You receive a commission simply for forwarding funds.
- You must convert incoming money into cash, crypto, or gift cards.
- The sender and final recipient have no clear connection.
If you got one of these
- Do not receive or forward money for an unverified contact.
- Do not open an account at someone else's direction.
- If funds already arrived, leave them untouched and contact your bank fraud line.
- Let the bank handle any return rather than sending a separate payment.
If you already paid or shared something
- Stop all transfers and tell your bank the full sequence of incoming and outgoing payments.
- Keep messages, account details, and transaction records.
- Report at ic3.gov and seek qualified legal help if someone used your account for criminal activity.
Who gets targeted
People approached for financial favors, extra income, or help moving money for an online contact.