conversation: User (throwawayunicorn1000): "Hi r/personalfinance! \n\nI'm hoping you can help me out as I'm not entirely certain whether this is a finance or legal question... \n\nA little background. My brother has been on welfare for a few years due to being injured at work (he was a brick layer and injured his back) and welfare checks have been his only source of income for that time. He has since started dabbling in Bitcoin and has amassed a total of $27,000 in profit. Since he is on welfare he has asked that I open a bank account and have him transfer the money into that so that I can get a bank check and send it to him as a "loan" so that it doesn't appear as a form of income to welfare. Obviously after the money has been cleared from the account I will close it. He has stated that I can keep a part of that money for when tax time comes as it would be considered income for me, which I see as fair. \n\nNow what I'm wondering is how legal this is? I'm not very educated in tax and Bitcoin and welfare so I'm hoping someone on here can help me. \n\nThanks! \n\n**EDIT** Thanks for everyone who responded. I'm definitely going to tell him to piss off. I don't need any of the drama that would come from his little scheme and I'll be sure to warn my sister and my parents just in case he tries to pull a fast one on them as well. "
  Self: "So basically your brother is asking you to help him commit fraud. Probably not a wise choice."
  User (throwawayunicorn1000): "I hope not. I do want to help him out but I don't want to get in trouble over it"
  Self: "Then don’t do it, it isn’t worth the risk."
  