3 December 2025
- Almost half of 18–24-year-olds have never even heard the term “money mule”
- Only 1 in 10 young adults say nothing would make them agree to move money for someone else – suggesting the vast majority could be at risk of being drawn into money muling
From Making a Murderer to 24 Hours in Police Custody, Britain’s obsession with true crime is at an all-time high. But while young adults enjoy true crime media and stories of criminal masterminds, new research reveals a dangerous gap in real-world awareness. Despite around two-thirds (66%) of 18 to 24-year-olds consuming true crime content every week, only 1 in 10 say they would never agree to receive and transfer money for someone else, a tactic criminals use to launder the proceeds of crime.
Money mules allow their bank accounts to be used to move criminal cash, often in exchange for a reward. It might seem like easy money or just helping someone out, but it’s illegal and can have lasting consequences. People who get involved risk having their accounts shut down, losing access to loans and potential job opportunities, and even putting their family and friends in danger.
Older generations are far less likely to agree to receive and transfer money for someone else. More than half (57%) of 55 to 64-year-olds and two-thirds (66%) of those aged 65 and over say they would never agree to move money under any circumstances. In contrast, younger generations show a greater openness to this behaviour. Among 18–24-year-olds, 1 in 5 (21%) say they would transfer money as a quick and easy way to earn income – leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and at increased risk of being drawn into criminal activity. These findings highlight a stark generational divide in attitudes toward money transfers.
Launching this week, the Don’t Be Fooled: True Crime campaign from UK Finance and Cifas uses a short-form video styled as a true crime docu-drama. It follows a student drawn in by fake job offers and social media messages promising easy money for moving funds and keeping a cut. The video exposes how criminals manipulate young people into becoming money mules and shows the serious consequences that follow.
New research shows just how few young people recognise money muling as a serious crime. Whilst the National Crime Agency estimates £10 billion is laundered in the UK every year, the research shows that:
- 45% of 18 to 24-year-olds don’t know money muling is linked to other crimes, such as terrorism, people and drug trafficking and fraud.
- Almost half had never even heard the term “money mule” before taking part in the survey.
- Over half didn’t realise that agreeing to move money for someone else could lead to going to prison for up to 14 years (52%), blocked bank accounts (52%), being dismissed from university or being declined for student loans (65%) and finding it hard to gain employment in the UK (56%), and could even put their families and friends at risk (59%).
Last year, people aged under 30 made up 61% of all money mule activity, according to Cifas’ Fraudscape 2025 report. Despite this, most young people are still unaware that money muling is connected to serious crimes like terrorism and trafficking.
Ruth Ray, Director, Fraud Policy & Operations at UK Finance says: “Britain’s love of true crime shows we’re fascinated by criminal stories, but the real danger is happening in our everyday digital lives. Criminals are targeting young people through social media, messaging apps and fake job ads, making money muling seem like ‘easy cash’. But it’s not a victimless crime. For a quick payout, people risk losing access to financial services, damaging their future job prospects, gaining a criminal record, and even putting their family and friends at risk.”
Mike Haley, CEO of Cifas adds: “While true crime grips the nation, the real danger is unfolding off-screen. Young people are being recruited into criminal activity that’s often disguised as a quick way to make money – but many don’t realise the serious and lasting damage it can cause.
“Cifas members continue to see money muling as a significant threat to their organisations. Tackling it demands collaboration across sectors – from banks and tech firms to regulators and educators. Through campaigns like ‘Don’t Be Fooled’ with UK Finance, we’re working to raise awareness and protect young people before they become part of a real-life crime story.”
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Notes to editors
For more information and interviews, please contact Four Agency: DontBeFooled@four.agency or 07351 683 118
About the research
The new research, unless otherwise stated, was undertaken by One Poll on behalf of UK Finance during October 2025 and surveyed 2,000 UK: Adults (nationally representative on the basis of age/gender/region).
Don’t Be Fooled
Don’t Be Fooled is a collaboration between UK Finance and Cifas. It aims to inform young people about the risks of giving out their bank details and deter them from participating in money muling activity.
A money mule is someone who receives illicit money into their bank account and transfers it into another account, often in return for money or an expensive gift.
Criminals need money mules to launder the profits of their crimes and frequently target young people and students, who are often unaware of the consequences of them agreeing to do so. Last year, people aged < 30 accounted for 61% of money mules activity (Cifas Fraudscape 2025).
UK Finance
UK Finance is the collective voice for the banking and finance industry. Representing more than 300 firms across the industry, we act to enhance competitiveness, support customers and facilitate innovation.
Cifas
Cifas is the UK’s leading not-for-profit fraud prevention service with nearly 800 members from across key economic sectors including banking, retail, insurance, and telecoms. Cifas protects businesses and individuals from fraud through the sharing of data and intelligence sharing between the private, public and third sectors. Website | LinkedIn | X
In addition to providing products and services which help businesses prevent more than £2.1bn in fraud losses each year, Cifas delivers specialist training through its Cifas Fraud and Cyber Academy and Digital Learning programme.
