Mule Account
A bank account used to receive or move money linked to crime, sometimes without the holder fully realising it.
Sources checked 2026-09-17
What it means
A mule account is a bank account used to receive, hold or move money from crime, such as online scams. The holder may have helped on purpose, or may have been tricked into sharing access. Either way, the law treats the account as a channel for criminal money.
The word “mule” comes from an animal carrying a load for someone else. Here the load is dirty money. In Malay it is “akaun keldai”: see the entry on akaun keldai.
How common are mule accounts in Malaysia?
Mule accounts are a large enforcement area: police detected 46,048 mule accounts in 2023 and 50,295 in 2024. [f2] The public Semak Mule portal run by PDRM has flagged more than 190,000 accounts. [f3]
What is the offence and the penalty?
Under the 2024 amendments, possessing or controlling another person’s account without lawful authority is an offence under Penal Code section 424A. The penalty is a fine of RM5,000 to RM50,000, or jail of six months to five years, or both. [f1]
Two related offences cover giving control of your own account to someone else (section 424B) and making transactions through an account without a lawful purpose (section 424C). All three are bailable: bail is a right, but the court or police set the amount and conditions.
How does an account become a mule account?
Some holders are recruited through fake part-time jobs, loan scams or social media offers of easy income. Some simply lend their account to a friend or relative. Once criminal money passes through, the bank or police may freeze the account, which can be the first sign (see frozen account).
Being tricked is not an automatic defence. But genuinely not knowing, and gaining nothing yourself, are points a lawyer can raise. What you keep and what you say in your first police statement shape what happens next, so get advice before you give it.
A lawyer can read your messages and records and tell you where you stand.
Sources
- Penal Code, Sections 424A to 424C (https://www.lawnet.com.my/penal-code)
- Royal Malaysia Police, mule-account case figures (https://www.rmp.gov.my/)
- PDRM Semak Mule Portal (https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my/)
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What does mule account mean?
A mule account is a bank account used to receive, hold or move money from crime, such as scams or fraud. The holder may have agreed to help, or may have been tricked into sharing access. Either way, Malaysian law treats the account as a channel for criminal money.
Is mule account the same as akaun keldai?
Yes. Akaun keldai is the Bahasa Malaysia term for the same thing, and the meaning in law is identical.
What happens after an account is flagged as a mule account?
The bank or police may freeze the account, and you may be called to give a statement. A freeze is a step in the investigation, not a conviction. Keep your records, do not use the account, and speak to a lawyer before giving a detailed statement.
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