Mule Account Enforcement: 2026 Update
The tools and numbers behind mule-account enforcement have grown, and knowing the current picture helps you respond.
Sources checked 2026-09-17 to 2026-09-29
What has changed
Mule account enforcement in Malaysia has new tools, including a police power added in 2024 to freeze an account without a court order.
Knowing this is not meant to scare you. It helps you respond well.
If you need the basic term first, read what a mule account means.
The police freeze power that sped things up
The biggest recent change is who can freeze an account. Criminal Procedure Code section 116D lets a police officer of Sergeant rank or above freeze an account without a court order. [f1]
That is why a freeze can come suddenly, with little or no warning.
It does not lower the standard of proof for any charge. Only the freeze step has changed.
How many cases there are
Police detected 46,048 mule accounts in 2023 and 50,295 in 2024. [f2]
More than 190,000 accounts had also been flagged on the PDRM Semak Mule portal as of 2024 to 2025 reporting. [f3]
Numbers like these can make the process feel impersonal, but your case still depends on your own facts.
The penalties are still heavy
The offences remain serious. Penal Code section 424A covers having or controlling someone else’s payment card or bank account without lawful authority [f4]. The penalty is a fine of RM5,000 to RM50,000, or six months to five years’ jail, or both. [f4]
That is the lightest of the three mule account offences, but it is still a criminal charge. For more on this offence, read section 424A explained.
How a victim’s report leads to a freeze
Victim reports can also lead to freezes. Victims can call the National Scam Response Centre hotline 997 to report a scam, which can lead to suspect accounts being frozen quickly. [f5]
When a victim reports a transfer, accounts that received the money can be frozen to hold it. If your account was further along the chain, it can be caught even if you did nothing wrong on purpose.
What this means for you
None of this makes you guilty. Investigators still have to link you to the account and the crime.
It does mean early, careful action matters more. Check your account on Semak Mule, do not move money, keep your records, and get advice before you give a statement.
To see how these cases are built and answered, read the mule account defence overview. A lawyer can look at how your account was frozen and tell you what to do first.
How to protect your account
Rules in this area have changed since 2024 and may change again. The answer is ordinary care with your accounts, not worry.
Do not let anyone else use your account. Be wary of offers to receive and pass on money, and check unfamiliar people on Semak Mule before large transfers.
If your account is caught anyway, you keep your rights, including the right to consult a lawyer.
Sources
- Criminal Procedure Code, section 116D (parlimen.gov.my)
- PDRM and CCID mule-account case figures, 2024 reporting (rmp.gov.my)
- PDRM Semak Mule portal (semakmule.rmp.gov.my)
- Penal Code, section 424A (lawnet.com.my)
- National Scam Response Centre, hotline 997 (nsrc.gov.my)
Need a Lawyer for Your Frozen Account Case?
Request Lawyer ContactFor people seeking legal representation. For general information, use our guides and tools.
Independent information resource, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice. Where appropriate and with your consent, we can connect you with an independent lawyer. Availability and acceptance of a case are not guaranteed. How referral works
What is the biggest recent change in mule account enforcement?
A police freeze power. Criminal Procedure Code section 116D lets a police officer of Sergeant rank or above freeze an account without a court order, so a freeze can come with no warning.
How many mule account cases are there now?
Police detected 46,048 mule accounts in 2023 and 50,295 in 2024. More than 190,000 accounts had also been flagged on the Semak Mule portal.
Does tougher enforcement mean I am presumed guilty?
No. A police freeze power and more cases do not change who must prove the case. Investigators still have to link you to the account and the crime. It does mean acting early and carefully matters, because a freeze can come without warning.
How can I check my own account?
Use the PDRM Semak Mule portal to see if an account or phone number is flagged. It will not show you everything about an investigation, but it shows whether your details, or the other party's, appear in reported records. Check before accepting large or unusual transfers.
Related pages
If your situation is a little different, these pages cover the closest topics.
Need a Lawyer for Your Frozen Account Case?
Request Lawyer ContactFor people seeking legal representation. For general information, use our guides and tools.
Independent information resource, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice. Where appropriate and with your consent, we can connect you with an independent lawyer. Availability and acceptance of a case are not guaranteed. How referral works