"Can you receive this and send it on?" It wasn't a friend.

A Snapchat message from my friend’s handle asked me to receive a Zelle and forward eighty percent to “their cousin” because their account was limited.

I thought I was doing a quick favour.

I moved the money the same evening.

Two days later my bank froze my account for fraud review; the inbound transfer was stolen and I had become the last hop before it disappeared.

Money-mule chains use hacked social accounts and trusted friends; receiving and forwarding puts you in legal and banking risk even if you meant to help.

Police cleared intent slowly while upstream victims wanted recovery.

While I tapped send I liked being the reliable friend who could move cash fast; I did not video-call to confirm it was really them.

The real friend video-called from a new number—she had not used Snap in months; the request had been a takeover.

Credit holds and whisper-network gossip in a small town lasted months; rebuilding trust at the branch took paperwork and patience.

I do not pass money for third parties through my account.

Urgent payment asks get a live check on a channel I already trust.

• Legitimate people do not need your account as a pipe for someone else’s transfers.
• Report account takeover and mule activity to your bank and police.

For more help, see our Report a scam page and Spot and avoid scams guide.