Gardai advise Limerick students on how to avoid becoming 'money mules'

GARDAI are warning Limerick students on how to avoid becoming money mules. 

A money mule is a person who allows their account to be used for the transfer of other’s stolen or illegal money.

They may or may not be aware of the crime, however, they are complicit if they allow their account to be used to launder the proceeds of criminality.

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.

Those who purchase illegal drugs may be offered to pay off their drug debt by becoming a money mule.

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Garda John Finnerty from Henry Street garda station said that ignorance is no excuse and penalties include a prison sentence of up to 14 years, a criminal conviction with a lifetime criminal record, and not being permitted to open another bank account.

"There can be advertisements for jobs on online platforms offering seemingly easy or quick money that are in fact a recruitment front for money mules.

"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.

"We can confirm that over 830 money mules had been identified in Ireland in the past number of years. 

"The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau estimate that there are at least 4,000 money mules linked to their investigations who have used Irish addresses. The vast majority are young people in all corners of Ireland".