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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Hannah Al-Othman North of England correspondent

Criminals recruiting students on social media to be ‘parcel mules’, say police

A person with mobile phone in hand
Police warn that not knowing what is in a parcel may not protect the person handling it from criminal investigation. Photograph: Fiordaliso/Getty Images

Students are being recruited by criminals to transfer illegal packages containing illegal drugs, prohibited weapons, stolen goods and dirty cash, say police in West Yorkshire.

Organised criminals are using social media platforms including Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook to recruit people to help them move illicit goods, particularly targeting students and vulnerable adults.

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