Fake cheque money mule scam
Summary: Scammers send fake job offers along with realistic‑looking counterfeit cheques to the victims. They instruct victims to quickly forward part of the funds to an “approved” vendor or third party for supposed work expenses or equipment. The “approved” vendor or third party is part of the scam. When the bank later detects the cheque is fraudulent, the victim has already transferred their own money to the scammers and is held accountable to repay the bank.
Tactic used: Creating a false urgency. Scammers pressure victims to act fast, often citing tight deadlines to start work. They exploit the banking “float period,” when deposited cheque funds appear available before the bank can verify them.
Top recommendations:
Never send money on behalf of an employer or a newly established contact.
Be suspicious of any job offers that requires you to handle funds or make purchases before starting work.
Research the employer and the job posting independently through official channels to confirm their legitimacy.