DON’T FALL INTO THE MONEY TRAP
Organised crime groups are increasingly targeting everyday Australians to do their dirty work, through fake job offers, social media and promises of easy money, recruiting unsuspecting people as money mules to move criminal funds.
To combat the growing threat, Crime Stoppers Australia has launched a national anti-money laundering campaign aimed at preventing Australians from becoming involved in money laundering and helping disrupt organised crime.
According to industry reporting, Australia’s major banks shut down almost 13,000 suspected money mule accounts during the 2023-24 financial year.
Don’t fall into the money trap aims to stop Australians from becoming money mules by exposing the tactics used by organised crime groups and raising awareness of the serious consequences of moving money on behalf of others.
Crime Stoppers Tasmania Chair Mr David Daniels OAM said that money mule activity is a key enabler of organised crime, allowing criminals to move and conceal illicit funds generated through offences including cybercrime, fraud, drug trafficking and human exploitation.
“A key focus of the campaign is helping people recognise the warning signs of recruitment before they become victims of exploitation.
“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 trust,” said Mr Daniels.
Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Rob Blackwood said many people recruited as money mules did not realise they were being manipulated by organised crime groups until it was too late.
“Organised crime groups are highly skilled at making these approaches appear legitimate. What may look like a simple job opportunity or quick way to make money can actually involve moving criminal funds and supporting serious offending.
“Moving money on behalf of someone else may seem harmless, but it can facilitate serious criminal activity and expose individuals to significant legal and financial consequences.
“It is important that if you feel you have fallen into this money trap, that you report it to authorities,” Assistant Commissioner Blackwood said.
Funded by the Commonwealth Government, the campaign has been developed in consultation with the Department of Home Affairs, AUSTRAC, law enforcement 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 will run nationally through advertising, multilingual resources, community outreach, industry engagement and targeted awareness initiatives designed to prevent money mule recruitment, reduce the harm caused by money laundering and strengthen community awareness of anonymous reporting pathways.
If people feel they have been targeted, or if they have fallen victim to one of these money schemes, they can contact Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or
1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous, and your valuable information will be passed on to the relevant authorities – helping to protect yourself and others.
Alternatively, if you feel you are a victim of online crime, or wish to report something suspicious, contact Tasmania Police’s cybercrime unit on 131 444; or Australian Cyber Security Centre at cyber.gov.au, the Australian Government’s online cybercrime reporting tool for individuals, business and government.
You can also keep up to date on evolving cyber threats through Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au.