TY students from secondary schools in Monaghan were invited to take part in a conference about money muling this week. Money muling is an issue most listeners have likely never heard of but, the aim of the conference was to raise awareness of this serious crime, which often targets our young people.
An Garda Síochána define a money mule as "a person who transfers illegally obtained money between different accounts, very often in different countries, on behalf of others". A teenager could be approached by a friend with the offer of making some quick money for letting an acquaintance to transfer money into their bank account for a short term.
Members of An Garda Síochána also gave a talk when they explained to students that their bank account is there responsibility and if they allow the illegal transfer of money into it it is they who will have a criminal record and other consequences. Zoe Tunney went along to the conference where students also received a talk about suicide and were shown a video from real victims of money muling: