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Don’t Bank On Easy Money: Act Region Crime Stoppers Targets Mule Recruitment In Canberra
ACT Region Crime Stoppers today launched its local support for the $2.55 million national anti-money laundering campaign aimed at stopping the recruitment of money mules and raising awareness of the serious consequences of becoming involved in criminal money laundering schemes.
According to industry reporting, Australia’s major banks shut down almost 13,000 suspected money mule accounts during the 2023–24 financial year, as organised crime groups increasingly targeted Australians.
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 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 campaign will roll out through a combination of advertising, grassroots community engagement and industry partnerships. ACT Region Crime Stoppers 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.
Money mule recruitment is not a victimless crime. Behind every ‘easy money’ offer is an organised crime network looking to exploit someone, and in the ACT, that someone is often an international student or a young person new to the workforce,” ACT Region Crime Stoppers Chair Oliver Forrester said.
“Our message is simple: if a job offer asks you to move money through your own bank account, it’s not a job, it’s a crime. We want Canberrans to recognise the warning signs before they’re drawn in, and to know they can report suspicious activity safely and anonymously through Crime Stoppers.”
“Our first focus is reaching students as they return for Semester 2,” ACT Region Crime Stoppers Chair Oliver said. “Over the coming weeks we’ll be holding pop-up stalls at university open days, market days and orientation events at the University of Canberra and the Canberra Institute of Technology, giving students practical advice on spotting fake job offers and money mule scams before they’re targeted.
“The start of semester is exactly when criminal networks ramp up their recruitment, new and returning students are looking for work, managing tight budgets and settling into life in Canberra. We want to get to them first.”
Money laundering isn’t an abstract financial crime, it’s what keeps drug trafficking, fraud and exploitation profitable,” ACT Region Crime Stoppers Chair Oliver said. “Every person who refuses to become a money mule cuts off a channel that organised crime depends on.
“This campaign is about giving our community the knowledge to protect themselves and the confidence to speak up. Whether you’re a student, a parent, an employer or a community leader, you have a role to play. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, report it to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppers.com.au. You can stay completely anonymous, and your information could stop serious crime in its tracks.”
For more information visit https://www.crimestoppersact.com.au/campaign/money-trap/.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Elizabeth Picker
0429 614 297
elizabeth@opfconsulting.com.au
