Parents and schools in Galway city need to be vigilant as children and young people may be targeted as money mules by criminal gangs.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil Galway City East councillor, Alan Cheevers, who said that a number of college and secondary school students have been targeted by criminals who want to pay the young people for use of their bank accounts.
There were 700 suspected money mules in the Republic last year, with many teenagers recruited on college campuses, schools, sports clubs, and online.
Conversation needed
“Parents, schools, and colleges need to have a conversation with teenagers about this, and how they are risking their futures by getting involved in these scams,” he said. “They need to be aware that offers made on social media or messaging apps were being sent out by serious criminal gangs.”
Cllr Cheevers raised his concerns on this issue at Monday’s Joint Policing Committee to Chief Superintendent Tom Curle. The Chief Superintendent said he was aware of this issue and that the gardaí are closely monitoring the situation in Galway city.
