Lancaster University is working proactively to empower students nationwide to recognise the signs that financial criminals may be grooming them into inadvertently committing fraud.

Working with Lancaster University and the National Crime Agency, We Fight Fraud has created an awareness video called Crooks on Campus.

Criminology lecturer Dr Nicola Harding has worked with partners to create the film, which highlights the risks of becoming involved, unintentionally, in money muling.

A money mule is someone who transfers stolen money between bank accounts, often from different countries.

Often students are innocently involved in this practice and are targeted by criminal gangs. These gangs target students and befriend them into laundering money by using job adverts or social media posts that promise large amounts of money for very little work and allowing an ‘employer’ or someone they do not know to use their bank account to transfer money.

The Crooks on Campus campaign will be rolled out nationally over the coming months. Dr Nicola Harding said: “This is a really important campaign. We know that students are being targeted right now in universities all over the world. By understanding what an approach looks like, students can protect themselves from the harm that getting involved can cause themselves and others. This Is exactly what Crooks on Campus does. Written by former criminals, with some also playing roles in the film alongside students and former members of the Police, Crooks on Campus is the most authentic representation of how organised crime operates. It is essential viewing for all students, staff, friends, and parents.”

Students across the North West will have the opportunity to view the film on Friday 26^th November, as the campaign is officially launched at Lancaster, with a live link up screening across universities in the North West of England.

Alongside this, Lancaster University is working with Lancashire Constabulary to warn students not to be fooled by offers of quick cash.

Students need sufficient funds for their fees, accommodation, food, travel, books and other living expenses.

Unfortunately, this could lead them to fall victim to fraudsters who choose to target students and trick them into illegal activity with offers of quick cash. Some of these scams could lead to students unwittingly committing fraud by being used as money mules.

Helen Grimshaw, Fraud Safeguarding Officer at Lancashire Police said: “We know that students at Lancashire based Universities have been targeted usually via social media or word of mouth with regards to ‘easy money’ schemes. Lancashire Police have also noticed prescriptive targeting of students allowing their bank accounts to be used to pass fraudulent funds through for a small reward. This means that unwittingly, students are leaving themselves open to criminals for future financial exploitation and may even be committing a money laundering offence which could have a severe impact on their studies.”

“Joining forces with Lancaster University is one of the proactive ways we’re working to protect students from this type of fraud. By raising awareness of this issue, we’re aiming to empower students to make informed choices should they or one of their friends be targeted by fraudsters with offers of ‘free’ cash.

“My message to students is - don’t be fooled by offers of free cash. Even if you’re unaware that the money you are transferring was illegally obtained, you could still be prosecuted for money laundering.”

Oliver Robinson, President of Lancaster University Students’ Union, said: “Money laundering and fraud can ruin lives, and my message to students is simple: it’s just not worth it. You become complicit in a complex network of organised crime, and the reason the money seems good is because the risk is so high. You are one of the most vulnerable, and least protected by definition. You shouldn’t want to cause such damage to yourself so early in your life, as it could affect your degree, your ability to get student loans, and to get loans later in life.

“If you are in need of additional support, please make use of the University’s hardship scheme and come to the Students’ Union’s Advice Service for more information.”

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden added: "It's great to see this initiative to make young people aware of criminal gangs and the tactics they use to recruit students for money laundering.

"Education is a fantastic tool to ensure that students understand the risks and can't be taken advantage of.

"I will continue to work closely with the Constabulary to target organised crime and to disrupt criminal gangs in their activities so that they haven't got the opportunity to target young people here in Lancashire."