The person wants to use my bank account to receive and forward money. Is it legal?
No, and it can get you into serious trouble. Letting someone pass money through your account – for a "commission", as a favour, or as a "job" – is called being a money mule, and the money is usually the proceeds of fraud. Your account can be frozen and you can face a police case, even if you did not know.
Typical versions: a romantic partner abroad who "cannot open an Indian account", a job that pays you to receive and forward payments, a friend whose account is "blocked". The scammer keeps the stolen money and you are the one on the bank's records.
What to do
- Refuse. Never let anyone else's money pass through your account or UPI.
- Never share your account number, debit card, UPI login or SIM for someone else's use.
- If money has already been routed through your account, tell your bank now, before it is frozen.
- Keep the chats as evidence that you were misled, and report the person on cybercrime.gov.in.
Frequently asked questions
- It is only small amounts. Is that still a problem?
- Yes. Amount does not matter – the money is from victims, and your account becomes part of the trail.
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