Most money laundering arrests involve people under the age of 30

Research by academics at Cardiff University and the University of the West of England (UWE) has found that most people arrested for money laundering in England and Wales are under 30. Freedom of Information responses from 36 police forces show 8,956 adults under 30 were arrested for offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 between January 2020 and January 2025, out of 14,493 recorded arrests across all ages. Those arrests led to 7,735 charges. Offending is most common among 18 to 29 year olds, and Ministry of Justice figures for the same period show 108 children and 420 young adults aged 18 to 24 were convicted.

Interviews and surveys with Regional Organised Crime Units and City of London Police suggest the pattern is driven by the recruitment of young people as money mules. Officers regard students, and international students in particular, as vulnerable because of financial hardship, manipulation and limited awareness, although the study could not establish how many cases involved students. Recorded section 327 offences were highest in Greater Manchester (570), Merseyside (566) and Leicestershire (485).

The researchers point out that higher education institutions fall outside the Money Laundering Regulations and so have no duty to report suspicions to the UK Financial Intelligence Unit, limiting what reaches law enforcement. The 2025 National Risk Assessment had already named schools and universities as an emerging vulnerability. Study lead Professor Nicholas Ryder argued that a focus on individuals over institutions risks losing sight of the networks behind the offending, and co-author Dr Samantha Mapston described enforcement as concentrated, uneven and driven by resources.

Susan Hawley of Spotlight on Corruption urged the government to review who is regulated and bring education providers under tighter supervision. Nik Adams, Deputy Commissioner of City of London Police and national policing lead for financial investigation, welcomed the report and backed a national strategy, better data sharing and more resources. Regional Organised Crime Unit officers highlighted free, PSHE Association-accredited teaching resources for Key Stages 2 to 5, and stressed that money muling funds serious harms including drug and firearms supply, human trafficking and child exploitation.

Article Credit: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/3072712-nearly-half-of-money-laundering-offences-in-england-and-wales-involve-people-aged-18-29