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The South African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) issued a statement in which it informed the public of the dangers of recruiting as a "money mule".
A "money mullet" is a person whose bank account is used by another person or entity.
This type of fraud is made possible by technologies such as biometric identification and involves the involvement of innocent third parties.
"People on street corners are recruited as mules with the promise of quick payments for using their bank account," said SAFPS Executive Director Manie van Schalkwyk.
These "money mules" are used by other people, knowingly or unknowingly, and will usually be recruited by someone who does not have a bank account or who wants to make a payment invisible.
This problem has become so widespread in South Africa that SAFPS has opened a new category of fraud specifically designed to address the problem.
"The danger to the consumer is that he is complicit in a criminal act and that he mingles with a fraudster," van Schalkwy said.
"This may seem like easy money, but the victim has no idea why the money is being used and it is often for illegal profits and even for the trafficking in human beings. "
In South Africa, most people are recruited around the corner, but this problem is widespread around the world, with much recruitment taking place on the Internet.
"This money is not easy," said van Schalkwyk.
"When you authorize the use of your bank account as an intermediary for third-party banking, you breach your account agreement with the bank and you are logged as a mullet."
"You could have a criminal record for life and, even worse, participate in the devastating crime of human trafficking."
SAFPS stated that it works closely with local banks to optimize security and raise public awareness of this type of fraud.
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