Malaysian’s Using E-Wallets Overseas At Risk Of Getting Banned By Banks?

You’ve packed your bags, planned your itinerary, and topped up your BigPay or Wise card like the financially responsible traveller you are. You’re ready for your trip to Thailand, Bali, or wherever MATTA Fair’s sales have taken you. But instead of worrying about sunscreen or airport WiFi, you end up worrying about something far more stressful: being banned by your bank over a RM10 refund.

Sounds ridiculous? That’s exactly what allegedly happened to a Malaysian woman recently, and it’s raising major questions about how local banks flag “suspicious activity,” especially when fintech apps are involved.

Here’s what went down, why this could happen to anyone, and how you can avoid becoming a money mule suspect while just trying to enjoy your Thai tea in peace.

1. Wait… how does someone get blacklisted over a RM10 refund?

So TLDR, A Malaysian woman went viral after claiming she was banned from opening bank accounts and flagged across financial institutions —all because of a RM10.44 refund she received on her BigPay card while travelling in Thailand.

Turns out, that refund allegedly triggered a red flag in the system, which then tagged her as a potential money mule (i.e., someone being used to move suspicious funds).

And here’s the kicker: she only found out when she tried to open a new bank account and got rejected. She later discovered she’d been silently blacklisted via eCCRIS—a credit reporting system many Malaysians have never even heard of until something goes wrong.

2. Okay but… why would banks think I’m a money mule?

Great question. It all comes down to automated fraud detection systems.

Banks and regulatory bodies in Malaysia (and globally) use algorithms to detect suspicious activity, especially when it comes to cross-border transactions, unusual refund patterns, or frequent small-value deposits.

Unfortunately, the system isn’t always that smart. A small refund from an overseas source, especially via a fintech app like BigPay or Wise, can look like “layering”, a tactic used by money launderers to disguise the origin of illegal funds.

So even if you’re just getting a refund on your BTS concert ticket or a Grab ride that didn’t show up, the system might go:

“Unusual behaviour detected. Must be suspicious. Flag it.”

And once you’re flagged? It could show up on internal bank alerts or, worse, in BNM’s financial intelligence network.

3. Who’s most at risk?

You’re more likely to be flagged if:

• You travel frequently and use multiple fintech platforms (e.g BigPay, Wise).
• You receive many small refunds or deposits from foreign sources in a short period of time.
• You use foreign exchange or crypto platforms without clear documentation
• Your transactions don’t match your regular financial profile (e.g., sudden large top-ups or foreign spending from a previously inactive account).
• Oh, and if you’re under 30, unemployed, or a student? The system may be even more suspicious of you. Because apparently being young and broke and abroad is now criminal behaviour.

4. What even is a money mule?

If you’ve never heard the term before, you’re not alone.  A money mule is someone who unknowingly (or knowingly) helps criminals move illegal money through their personal bank accounts or fintech wallets. Sometimes it’s obvious—like when a stranger asks to “borrow your account to receive funds” (red flag, please don’t offer up your account to strangers). Other times, it’s subtle, like being paid to process refunds, send cash for “remote jobs,” or accept money “on behalf of a friend.”

Banks and regulators are cracking down on mule accounts hard, and rightfully so, but the systems in place don’t always get it right.

5. What happens after you’re flagged?

Here’s the unsettling part: you probably won’t even realise it’s happened. There’s no warning, no dramatic “you’ve been banned” message. You might just find yourself unable to open a new bank account, or notice your existing one acting strangely. Maybe you’re suddenly asked to verify odd things, or your transactions take longer than usual. In more serious cases, your details might be reported to Bank Negara Malaysia, which could trigger a deeper review of your financial activities. Clearing your name isn’t always straightforward either. You may have to show proof that your transactions were legitimate, even if you never knowingly did anything wrong in the first place.

So what can you do to protect yourself before things go sideways?

• Avoid receiving money from strangers, even small amounts. 
  • If you suddenly receive money in your e-wallet or bank account from someone you don’t know, don’t just shrug and assume it’s your “lucky day.” It could be part of a scam or a test run for money mule activity. The worst thing you can do is forward it to someone else or spend it. Instead, take a screenshot, don’t touch the funds, and contact your bank or the app’s customer service immediately. Let them know it was unsolicited and ask them to flag it.
• Don’t let anyone “borrow” your wallet or bank account. Not even your friends or colleagues. 
  • Even if your friend swears it’s just a quick transaction, you don’t know where that money came from or what it might be linked to. And if things go sideways, you’re the one banks and regulators will be looking at. Bottom line: your name, your risk. Keep your accounts to yourself.
• Use bank accounts with solid verification tools, like two-factor authentication and transaction alerts. 
  • Not all e-wallets and bank apps are created equal. Some make it super easy for someone else to sneak into your account or for shady transactions to slip by unnoticed.
• Check your eCCRIS report occasionally (it’s free!) to see if anything weird pops up.
  • Most Malaysians only discover they’ve been flagged after they’re denied a loan or account. Don’t wait until then. You can check the report for free to see if any institutions have marked your profile as risky. It won’t show your credit score, but it will reveal if something’s off.
• Avoid accepting cash jobs overseas without proper contracts or receipts
  • We get it. That freelance gig or side hustle while on holiday is tempting. But if you’re getting paid in random deposits with no paper trail, it can look suspicious. Without contracts, invoices, or receipts, it becomes really hard to explain where that money came from if questioned later. So even if it’s a small gig, keep records. Your future self (and your bank officer) will thank you.
• Do not register multiple fintech accounts under different names
  • There’s really no good reason to have multiple e-wallet or fintech accounts under different names. Not only is this against most platforms’ terms of service, but it also raises massive red flags in banking systems. It can look like you’re trying to hide something, even if you’re just trying to be “quirky.” Stick to one verified account under your real name. Keep it clean, simple, and less likely to trigger anti-money laundering alarms.