Spike in Kerry students becoming 'money mules' for criminals

People can get paid as little as €50 to transfer thousands for criminal organisations.

A spike in money laundering cases involving students in Kerry has prompted Gardaí to roll out an awareness campaign in schools and colleges on the dangers of becoming money mules for criminal gangs. 

Gardaí and community groups have enlisted some young people, who have been prosecuted before the courts, to form part of the campaign in Kerry secondary schools and colleges to warn of the consequences.

At the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee, 30 prosecutions have been initiated in recent times, with 20 convictions so far, mostly involving people between the ages of 17 and 21.

Circuit Court Judge Sinead Behan expressed concern about the rising number of cases, saying young people don't realise the far-reaching consequences of helping criminals.

"Money mules are getting younger so we have to start hitting them younger," said Sergeant Michael Quirke, from the Kerry garda division’s crime prevention office.

Gardaí say young people are being increasingly approached by criminals seeking clean bank accounts to lodge and transfer money.

The consequences of a conviction, however, will affect a young person's travel options and visa applications in the future. 

Recruiters

Typically, criminals use a recruiter, often someone in the friendship network of a prospective mule, who sells the idea of "easy money".

Social media sites such as Snapchat are also frequently used by recruiters, with fake job offers of big money for ‘working from home’.

"Be cautious about offers of easy money. Easy money is dangerous money," Sgt Quirke said.

Mules normally get paid small "commissions", as little as €50, to transfer thousands for criminal organisations.

Most of the money going through the accounts in Ireland originates from fraudulent activities within the country, gardaí say.

The fraudulent schemes include fake texts to pay road tolls and other phishing schemes — including the ‘Hi Mom, I lost my phone’ text tactic — all used by criminal gangs to take money from individuals.

Fake invoicing of small businesses is another method commonly used.

"Money laundering is not a victimless crime, and it is growing throughout the country," said Sgt Quirke.

In the first six months of 2023, some €17.5m was laundered, up from €12m in the same period in 2022 and from €5m in the first six months of 2021.

The awareness campaign in Kerry also involves community talks to parents, and a campus watch campaign to highlight the steps to take if approached to be a mule.