A growing number of international students are being targeted by criminals to send and receive money made illegally.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has warned international and temporary students studying or working in Australia that they are being actively targeted by crime networks to work as ‘money mules’, which is illegal under Australian law.
A money mule is the go-between for criminals who have obtained funds illegally.
Money mules provide access to their bank account for criminals to place money into.
The money is then transferred elsewhere with a small amount left in the account as payment to the account owner.
Using an unsuspecting money mule creates distances between the criminal and their crime, helping to avoid police detection.
Easy targets
AFP Detective Superintendent Tim Stainton said criminals offer international students payment to receive money to transfer to another account.
“Often the only requirements for the job are access to a mobile phone or computer and an Australian bank account to receive and transfer funds at the direction of the criminal group, which is a major red flag.
“The money that the criminal is trying to transfer is often the proceeds of a crime which can then be used by organised crime syndicates to fund other criminal ventures like drug importations, cybercrime, terrorism and human trafficking.”
Police warn international students that while being in a new country to study is an exciting time, it is also an opportunistic time for organised criminals looking to recruit vulnerable students staying in a foreign country.
Criminals will usually try to make contact with international students through social media platforms, instant messaging apps, email, pop-up ads, and messages.
An AFP poster warning of money mules scams. Photo: AFP
Authorities encourage students to be sceptical when approached by someone they don’t know offering easy money for limited work.
“If a job opportunity seems too good to be true, then it probably isn’t legitimate. If you are being offered significant sums of money to just move money through your bank account, then it is likely you are committing a criminal offence,” Det Supt Stainton said.
Police are also seeing brazen criminals approach students in person through community networks in an attempt to recruit them as a money mule in the hope that they can gain their trust.
Often, the job ad will promise quick and easy money in exchange for moving funds through their bank accounts.
Warning to international students
International students can be unaware this activity is illegal in Australia, believing that their involvement of fund transfers is legitimate employment, which police warn is not the case.
The AFP has been working closely with Australian Border Force authorities to combat serious crime and keep Australians and the foreign student community safe, he said.
If convicted, police warn students can face anywhere from 12 months to life in prison.
In addition to being criminal behaviour, international students risk breaching the terms of their bank or financial institution and could lose access to their bank account as banks step in to do their part in fighting crime, Det Supt Stainton said.
He urged students to do their due diligence by researching a business they are considering working with to check that they actually have an online presence, have legitimate contact details, and whether they are based in Australia.
While being a money mule might seem like a low risk, high reward and victimless crime, it is a serious crime and you can be prosecuted, he said.
Students are also warned that a criminal record can impact on their ability to obtain employment, travel to certain countries.
Authorities may also reject their Australian student visa and send them back home.
