DUBLIN, Ireland: Nearly 9.4 million euros was funneled through so-called "money mule" accounts in Ireland in the year to June 2025, according to new figures released by FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative of the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI).

The illicit transfers typically ranged between 5,000 euros and 10,000 euros per case, highlighting the scale of a problem authorities say is increasingly targeting young people.

A nationwide survey accompanying the figures revealed that nearly one-third of 18—to 24-year-olds have either been approached themselves or know someone who has been asked to allow their bank account to be used for transferring money. Alarmingly, more than a quarter of respondents in this age group admitted they would consider doing so.

Niamh Davenport, head of financial crime at the BPFI, warned that criminal networks are exploiting social media to lure young people with promises of "easy money." She stressed that many do not realise the serious risks involved.

"Money muling is not a harmless shortcut to quick cash. It fuels wider criminal enterprises, including drug trafficking and human exploitation. The consequences for individuals can include prison sentences, a permanent criminal record, and long-term restrictions on travel or employment," she said.

An Garda Síochána has echoed those warnings. Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau said that money mules are essential to the operations of transnational crime groups.

"They are a vital cog in enabling organized crime. That is why the law treats it as a serious offence, with punishments that can include jail time," he noted.

To counter the threat, FraudSMART launched a new awareness drive as the academic year began. The "Don't Be a Mule" campaign, supported by AMLÉ (formerly the Union of Students in Ireland), targets students returning to campuses, where recruiters often seek out financially vulnerable young people.

FraudSMART's research found that 47 percent of young adults had never heard the term "money mule," and over half admitted they did not understand what it meant. Awareness of the consequences was also low: 31 percent did not know that allowing their account to be used would amount to money laundering; 35 percent were unaware they could face prison; and 42 percent did not realise it could prevent them from obtaining work visas abroad.

Parents also appear under-informed: Three-fifths said they had never discussed money muling with their children. Authorities are urging families and students alike to recognize warning signs—such as unsolicited offers of easy money, requests to use personal bank accounts, or "work-from-home" schemes from unverifiable overseas sources—and to avoid engaging with them at all costs.