EXCLUSIVE Revealed: The shocking number of Brits asked to help launder money as poll reveals how gangs are targeting ordinary people to wash their ill-gotten gains

Daily Mail​

07-05-2025

One in five Brits say they have been asked to help launder money - proving that gangs are targeting ordinary people to wash the proceeds of crimes.
Organised criminals use a variety of methods to make dirty cash gained through illicit activities like drug dealing and sex trafficking appear legitimate.
While traditional options like establishing front businesses remain popular, crime groups are increasingly exploiting unwitting members of the public to clean money on their behalf.
Research by Virgin Money shared exclusively with MailOnline found 21 per cent of people have been asked to receive funds into their bank account, apply for a loan in someone else's name or open a new account - usually in return for cash.
A growing trend has seen criminals ask youngsters to hold cash in their accounts before sending it elsewhere. The study, which polled 2,000 adults, found nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of Gen Zers have been directly asked to do this.
And worryingly, over half (52 per cent) did not realise that agreeing to do so risked a criminal prosecution for money laundering that could see them jailed for up to 14 years.
Many so-called 'money mules' are approached via social media and online gaming, but the survey found that over a third (37 per cent) were contacted by family or friends.
In one case previously revealed by the Children's Society, a boy of 14 and his family were threatened at gunpoint.
Youngsters are often groomed by gangs, who offer them the prospect of making easy money or being rewarded with treats such as a new phone or a pair of trainers.
They are typically convinced to provide their bank details, before being asked to transfer the funds received to another account and keep some of the cash for themselves – making them a money mule.
The Children's Society Mark Russell warned last year that the cost of living crisis had left youngsters more vulnerable to being offered bribes, which in some cases could be as small as a meal at McDonald's.
'Children absorb their parents' worries and if they are stressed about money then children will be too. If somebody offers them the chance to make some easy money, they are going to take it,' he said.
Transferring illicit cash to an ordinary person's account before it is sent elsewhere can make it harder for the authorities to trace.
Jamie Wolff, money mules strategy director at Virgin Money, explained that the spread of social media meant 'anyone' could be targeted but under-35s were the most at risk.
He said one danger sign was being offered a job that promised a large salary in return for little or no work.
Huang was filmed depositing £3,500 worth of cash at the travel money counter at a Post Office in Stirling
'Other things to look out for are ''too good to be true'' opportunities from friends, family, someone at university or new romantic partners,' he continued.
'If you're approached, it's important that you don't engage or share any personal details with the person contacting you.
'You should then report the incident either to the social media outlet or email provider or the police.'
Mr Wolff said the funds held by money mules were often the product of serious crimes including sex trafficking, human trafficking and fraud.
Foreign students are often targeted by gangs to help move criminal cash across borders.
They include Xiaotong Huang who was jailed for nearly 18 months for laundering nearly £85,000 for a crime boss.
The 28-year-old travelled around Scotland in a Mercedes distributing money given to her by Wai Ma - who went by 'Mr Big'.
This attracted the attention of the police, and she was watched by undercover surveillance officers as she deposited £3,500 worth of cash at the travel money counter at a Post Office in Stirling.
Huang used her slice of the profits to pay her tuition fees at the University of Stirling and buy luxury goods from Gucci, Burberry, Coach and Harrods. She also bought £6,900 of wine in one week and bought a £480 Louis Vuitton bag.
She was jailed for 18 months after being found guilty of money laundering following a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court in March 2023.
The issue of youngsters being approached by criminals on social media is not new, with the tactic regularly used by other organised groups, including county lines drug gangs.
Cathy Haenlein, Director of Organised Crime and Policing Studies at RUSI, said common tactics were to offer money or other gifts before trapping them into drug dealing.
Meanwhile, the National Crime Agency has warned of Nigerian crime gangs posing as young women to target boys as young as 14 on social media sites like Snapchat and Instagram.
The perpetrators trick the victims into sending explicit images before demanding payments of around £100.