Leveraging Partnerships and Technology to Tackle Money Mules

This paper highlights the critical role of public–private partnerships and technology in addressing the growing threat of money mule schemes in Ukraine, which have significant implications for financial crime, tax revenue loss and national security. Drawing on the insights from the third meeting of the Taskforce on Public–Private Partnership in Fighting Financial Crime in Ukraine, held in December 2025, the paper explores how money mule activity manifests in practice and how it is currently being addressed across the public and private sectors.

In particular, the paper discusses:

• The use of Know-Your-Customer processes and onboarding controls in identifying and mitigating money mule risks.
• Existing approaches to information sharing between financial institutions and public authorities, including legal and data-protection considerations.
• The application of regulatory technology and network analytics in detecting money mule activity and tracing financial flows.
• Education and financial literacy initiatives aimed at reducing vulnerability to money mule recruitment, particularly among younger groups.
• The role of public–private partnerships, including engagement with civil society and online platforms, in supporting more coordinated and preventive responses.

The paper underscores the importance of coordinated efforts and innovative solutions to disrupt money mule networks and safeguard Ukraine’s financial system.