Crooks in student money mule drive
Half asked to launder money for gang
MORE than half of students have been approached to launder cash by crooks, says a survey.
Some three in five at university have been approached in person or online to become “money mules” for cash, designer goods or drugs.
And there are fears more could be tempted as students struggle to make ends meet.
A money mule is a person who receives stolen money in their bank account and transfers or takes it out in cash for someone else.
A study by Dr Nicola Harding at the Lancaster university also reveals nearly half think it is OK to let others use their account.
Fraud experts have seen a big rise in the scams – and universities are set to launch a crackdown in a partnership between Lloyds Bank and City of London Police.
Crooks on Campus – a powerful drama from We Fight Fraud – will be screened to show the perils of getting into organised financial crime.
Tony Sales, from We Fight Fraud, said: “Getting extra cash by allowing someone to use your bank account might seems like an easy option but the consequences are dire. If money laundered is being used for terrorist activities that student may face up to 14 years in jail.”
Criminals recruit on social media sites like Snapchat and Instagram or use other students to lure them.
Mr Sales said: “They will pick an attractive girl who will flirt with the student, invite them to a party and then draw them into it and let them know they can earn free money without any hassle.”
One student who thought it would be easy money ended up facing death threats.
Crooks sent £6,000 to Sattar Shirazi, 21, of London, saying he could keep £600, but he became suspicious and his bank froze his account.
“The criminals wanted their money back otherwise they said they would kill me and my family,” he said. “I still can’t get a bank account.”
His father Arash said: “I was going to hand over the money from my savings but I got We Fight Fraud involved and they helped us.
“It was a terrifying experience that affected the whole family. I’m speaking out to raise awareness and save another family from this.”
See crooksoncampus.co.uk.
The crooks wanted money back or they’d kill me and my family SATTAR SHIRAZI STUDENT DUPED BY SCAM