{"id":1034,"date":"2019-03-28T10:34:04","date_gmt":"2019-03-28T10:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/business-school\/?p=1034"},"modified":"2023-03-08T14:07:46","modified_gmt":"2023-03-08T13:07:46","slug":"april-fool-dont-be-a-money-mule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/business-school\/april-fool-dont-be-a-money-mule\/","title":{"rendered":"April Fool – Don’t be a Money Mule"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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Money Muling – don’t do it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Lies, damned lies and statistics!*<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Don\u2019t Panic, I am not about to give a lecture on statistics \u2013 heaven forfend (as you know my chosen subject is Archaeology \u2013 digging up those lovely old bones)!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This month I am going to chat to you about Money Muling, what it is, how it happens and the consequences if you get involved.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Lies<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u2018Earn thousands working from home. No experience needed.\u2019 Sound familiar? Because this is exactly the type of advert used to recruit students as money mules.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The lure of easy money can be difficult to resist but this isn\u2019t worth the risk.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Damned Lies<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This is a victimless crime. Not so! Becoming involved as a Money Mule means that you are helping criminals in the drug trade and human traffickers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Statistics<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Criminals are increasingly targeting 18 \u2013 24 year olds<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

2017 saw a 105% increase in cases of \u201cmoney muling\u201d for those aged 21 years or under, to 6,484 cases, where seemingly innocent bank accounts are used to launder criminal proceeds.**<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What is a Money Mule?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A person who transfers illegally obtained money between different payment accounts, very often in different countries, while earning a commission payment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Signs to look out for<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Criminals will often use fake job adverts, or create social media posts about opportunities to make money quickly, in order to lure potential money mule recruits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Consequences<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Acting as a Money Mule is illegal and can have catastrophic consequences for you now and in the future. You could receive a prison sentence of up to 14 years and you will not be able to access a bank account making it difficult to access cash or any credit.**<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Further information can be found at:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n