Mule Herding
The criminal practice of recruiting and managing a network of money mules to layer and move stolen funds through multiple bank accounts.
Also known as: mule network management, herder
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Mule herding refers to the organised management of multiple money mules by a criminal operation. A 'herder' recruits individuals, assigns them specific transfer tasks, monitors their accounts, and directs the flow of funds across the network. Each mule receives only a fragment of the criminal enterprise's overall picture, making it harder for law enforcement to trace the original source of funds.
Herders operate on social media, encrypted messaging apps, and through peer networks — particularly targeting young adults and students in financial difficulty. They may be aware of the criminal nature of the work or may themselves be lower-level participants in a larger organised crime group.
Financial institutions use transaction monitoring to detect mule networks — unusual inbound transfers followed by immediate outbound transfers are a key indicator. If you suspect you are being herded, stop all transfers immediately and contact your bank and local police.
Sources
- FTC — Job Scams — Federal Trade Commission
- Scamwatch — Jobs and Employment Scams — Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
- FBI — Common Frauds and Scams — Federal Bureau of Investigation
- FBI IC3 — Internet Crime Complaint Center — FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center