Gardai have issued an urgent warning to third level students against becoming a 'Money Mule', where their bank accounts are used to transfer stolen or illegal money.
As part of its #SafeAtCollege campaign and in partnership with the Banking Payments Federation of Ireland, gardai said that those aged 18-24 and those over 55 years of age are the most commonly targeted age groups by organised crime gangs to act as money mules. Vulnerable people such as those who are new to the country, students, people who are unemployed or under financial pressure are also likely to be targeted.
According to gardai, money mules face a prison sentence of up to 14 years, as well as a criminal conviction with a lifetime criminal record. The person may also be extradited to the country where the crime occurred, and may not be permitted to open another bank account.
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Young people are being asked to watch out for warning signs. For example, they may be approached via social media or in person in a social setting or at college with an offer to make easy money.
A garda spokesman said: "The individual who makes the approach only uses a social media handle and will not provide information to identify themselves. The person approached is then requested to provide all details relating to their account, including online security access codes.
"There can also be advertisements for jobs on online platforms offering seemingly easy or quick money that are in fact a recruitment front for money mules." Earlier this month, gardai confirmed that over 830 money mules had been identified in Ireland in the past number of years.
The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau estimates that there are at least 4,000 money mules linked to their investigations who have used Irish addresses, with many of these being young people in all corners of Ireland.
Speaking today, Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) said: "Those who agree to allow their bank account to be used for the transfer of illegally obtained money may not necessarily realise that they are enabling very dangerous international criminal organisations and are involving themselves with these criminals.
"It seems quite simple and at the same time quite lucrative, but the reality is that those who allow their bank account to be used are taking a huge personal risk. More than that, they are in essence assisting ruthless criminals involved in human trafficking, people smuggling, terrorism, and even wars.
"An Garda Síochána is sending this warning because it isn’t the hardened criminals face on CCTV at an ATM. It isn’t their phone number or bank account details linked to the transfer of illegal gains – it’s those of the money mule – if an offer sounds too good to be true it probably is. There is no easy money to be made."
Anyone who thinks they are being approached to become a money mule should refuse to provide their bank details and to contact An Garda Síochána. If an account has already been compromised, the account holder should contact their bank and An Garda Síochána.
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