“Don’t fall into a money trap” is the message being delivered to students, particularly international students, in a six-month, $2.55 million national anti-money laundering campaign from Crime Stoppers.
According to industry reporting, Australia’s major banks shut down almost 13,000 suspected money mule accounts during the 2023-24 financial year – or about 35 accounts per day – as organised crime groups increasingly target Australians.
Funded by the Commonwealth Government, the campaign has been developed in consultation with the Department of Home Affairs, AUSTRAC, law enforcement agencies and industry stakeholders as part of a coordinated national effort to disrupt money laundering and prevent organised crime from exploiting vulnerable members of the community.
The campaign comes amid growing concern that criminal networks are using fake job advertisements, social media, messaging apps and promises of easy money to recruit people to move illicit funds through Australian bank accounts and cryptocurrency platforms.
Money mule activity helps organised crime move and hide the proceeds of serious criminal offending, including cybercrime, fraud, drug trafficking and human exploitation.
The national campaign will roll out across every state and territory through a combination of advertising, grass roots community engagement and industry partnerships.
Crime Stoppers organisations across Australia will work with universities, student accommodation providers, migration agents, education agents, employers and community organisations to deliver awareness and prevention activities designed to stop recruitment before it occurs.
A key focus of the campaign is helping people recognise the warning signs of recruitment before they become victims of exploitation.
Crime Stoppers WA CEO, Dr Vince Hughes, said many people recruited as money mules did not understand that they were being manipulated by organised crime until it was too late.
“People often don’t spot the warning signs that they’re being recruited into criminal activity until after the damage has been done, or a promise of easy income can quickly become a pathway into serious offending,” Dr Hughes said.
“Organised crime groups deliberately create opportunities that appear legitimate. They know people are looking for work, looking to earn extra money or simply trying to help someone they believe they can trust.
“This campaign centres around the key message – “Don’t fall into a money trap” – and is about helping people recognise the warning signs before they become victims of exploitation.
“We want people to remember the three R’s – recognise suspicious approaches; refuse requests to use your bank account or identity and report suspicious recruitment to Crime Stoppers, either online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au or by calling 1800 333 000.”
WA Police Acting Commander, State Crime, Peter Foley, said international students and temporary visa holders were among the groups most frequently targeted because they may be unfamiliar with Australia’s financial and legal systems, seeking short-term employment opportunities and may be experiencing financial pressures.
“The vast majority of international students come to Australia to study, work hard and build a future, Acting Commander Foley said.
“Unfortunately, organised crime groups see students as attractive targets and actively seek to exploit their circumstances.”
“For international students, the consequences can be particularly severe. In addition to criminal charges and financial loss, people can face broken bank accounts, identity theft, visa cancellation or refusal, and long-term impacts on their ability to study, work or remain in Australia.
“If something doesn’t feel right, or you have information about a possible money mule, we want people to know there is a safe and anonymous way to share that information via Crime Stoppers.”
Dr Hughes said partnerships would play a critical role in ensuring the campaign reached those most at risk.
“People are often approached where they study, work, live and socialise,” he said.
“That’s why this campaign goes beyond an advertising focus.”
“We’re working with all WA universities, TAFE’s, student accommodation providers, migration agents and community organisations because they are often the trusted voices best placed to help people recognise the warning signs before harm occurs.”
Campaign resources will be available in multilingual versions to support accessibility.
