GroomingIs “Money mule” something to worry about? More Grooming terms
Money mule
Risk flagSomeone who moves stolen money through their own bank account for a cut. Fraud rings actively recruit teens on Instagram, Snapchat, and Discord with 'easy money' and 'flip' offers — and the teen is the one committing a federal crime. Any stranger asking to 'run money through' your kid's account or Cash App is this.
How kids use it
"Legit flip" DMs; requests for account or Cash App access.
Yes — take "Money mule" seriously. Terms in this category show up in contact between kids and people trying to exploit them. Seeing it in your kid's messages doesn't prove the worst, but it warrants a calm look at who they're talking to.
- Don’t confront in anger — ask who they’re talking to online, and look together.
- If an unknown adult is involved: screenshot everything, block, and report it to the platform — and to the NCMEC CyberTipline (CyberTipline.org) if anything sexual was requested or sent.
- Run a 30-second check on the apps involved Is it safe? checker →