Students being recruited for money laundering

Criminal gangs have been recruiting students to allow their bank accounts to be used to receive criminal funds, and effectively commit money laundering offences.

In many cases the students are being approached by friends and acquaintances who themselves have been recruited by criminal groups to accept funds, and who are then offered bonuses to recruit others to allow their accounts be used.

It is possible that the students involved do not realise that the source of these funds is generally from elderly and vulnerable individuals who have had their life savings and pension monies stolen by unscrupulous criminal gangs. These gangs will often use the money to fund other aspects of serious criminality including human trafficking, drug supply and in some cases terrorist activities.

Criminal gangs recruit people for this purpose to evade arrest by the police. Police will likely first arrest the holder of the account the stolen monies are paid into.

In addition to facing arrest, students who allow their account to be used, are very likely to a potential prison sentence of up to fourteen years. Being arrested and convicted in this type of criminality is also likely to restrict a student’s career choices in the future.

In view of the above we would be grateful if you could pass on to your students the important message that they should under no circumstances allow anyone, including close friends and family to use their bank account. I would also ask that all students are made aware of the implications of being involved in any such crime.

If students have been, or are approached to be involved in this type of criminality or have any information relating to it they should be encouraged to speak to the Police through yourselves and your local PCSO, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Further information in relation to this type of crime can be obtained from the following sources:

• Action Fraud
• Financial Fraud Action

As a school or college if you require any further information in relation to the issue above please do not hesitate to contact us either direct, on the number listed above or through your local PCSO.

DI Kevin Barton, Serious Economic Crime Unit
Kent & Essex Police Serious Crime Directorate

Contact Details

Address: North Kent Police Station, Thames Way, Northfleet, DA11 8BD.
Telephone: 01622 654373