Crime gangs targeting kids to become money mules

Young people and students across Galway have been warned by Gardaí not to get sucked into any ‘money mule’ activities by criminal gangs – such involvement could land them behind bars for up to 14 years.

Second-level students, as young as 15 years of age, have been targeted by organised crime gangs offering them a ‘quick buck’ in return for the temporary use of their bank accounts.

The Connacht Tribune has learned that a number of young people from the Galway area have been targeted by the money laundering gangs, mostly on social media.

However, Gardaí have also come across cases where face-to-face approaches have been made to students on the basis of a fellow student from another country needing to ‘clear’ money being sent by his or her parents.

Galway Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Michael Walsh, told the Connacht Tribune that he was advising students and younger people to never authorise any individual to utilise  their bank account, ATM card or PIN number.

“Most of those young people targeted are advised that they will receive a percentage of the money being handled if they authorise the use of the account and they see this as a chance to make easy and quick money.
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