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Crime Prevention Message – Campus Watch

On this month’s Crimecall, Sergeant John Fitzpatrick was in studio and provided Crime Prevention information in relation to Campus Watch.

The Garda Campus Watch Programme is part of the Garda Watch Programmes.  It operates and functions similar to other Garda Watch programmes such as Neighbourhood Watch & Community Alert.  The Garda Campus Watch Programme was established in the late 1990s with the aim to work in collaboration with third level institutions to promote secure learning environments. Campus Watch works on the basis of the following:

  • Gardaí engage/interact with students and staff, creating awareness in relation to safety and security issues.
  • Students and staff are encouraged to look out for each other in relation to their safety and security and to report suspicious activities to the Gardaí.

In November 2024 a new online Garda Campus Watch Student Safety and Security Booklet was launched by the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau. This online digital resource is available free to download here from the Garda website and is designed at enhancing the safety and security of third-level students across Ireland. The booklet is specifically tailored towards third-level students, providing them with practical and up-to-date evidence-based information to help them navigate safety challenges and make informed decisions. The new Garda Campus Watch Booklet now includes sections which covers road safety with e-bikes and e-scooters, online crimes such as phishing and romance fraud, while it also provides updates on accommodation fraud and money laundering.

Personal Safety

As a new student, get to know the geography of your campus as soon as you can. Find out about public transport timetables, where you can park vehicles or bikes securely, campus security buildings and the local Garda Station.

College life should be about experiencing new things but remember when you are going out to PLAN and be Streetwise:

  • Plan your night out, how you are getting there and back?
  • Let someone know where you are going and when you’ll be back,
  • Avoid walking alone in dark areas,
  • Never attempt to reason with drunk or aggressive people and be
  • Streetwise - get to know the locality and the surroundings, and mind your valuables.

It’s a good idea to upload emergency contacts onto your phone and activate find my phone on your device. Ensure it is charged before going out and keep a record of your IMEI number (Dial *#06# to get it). This will help us return your device to you if it’s located or handed in.

Money Mules

Gardaí are advising people to be wary of fraudulent activity with regards to “Money Mules”. A “Money Mule” is a person who knowingly or recklessly allows access to their bank account for the purpose of receiving and transferring money. Persons act as Money Agents or Transfer agents and in return for use of an account, may offer financial incentives to persons who may believe they are doing no harm. The most probable source for this money is likely the proceeds of fraudulent criminal acts and scams.  Students are one of the most targeted cohort by these criminals. 

There are huge legal ramifications for engaging both knowingly or recklessly in this illegal activity that is commonly referred to as being a money mule. These include, but not limited to:

  • A criminal conviction under the Money Laundering & Terrorism Financing Act 2010, a conviction on indictment that can carry a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years.
  • Your home searched by Gardaí
  • You being arrested – remember it’s your bank account / your passport used to open it / probably you on the CCTV withdrawing the money or making the purchase
  • You having to appear in Court – being reported on / photographed in newspapers
  • Having your bank account closed and banks may not entertain any new account applications
  • You being refused a visa to work in US, Australia, Middle East etc.

Some advices we would give to younger people, include:

  • Never, ever allow another use for your bank account – if you do you are potentially a money mule
  • Never, ever share personal data with someone you don’t know or don’t trust or know
  • If you are communicating with someone who wants to use your bank account STOP immediately
  • If you feel pressurised into allowing someone use your bank account, talk to someone you trust – parent, teacher, student union, local Garda station, bank official
  • Notify your financial institution immediately if you notice suspicious activity on your account
  • Talk to your family or speak to local Gardaí at the earliest opportunity

Some advices we would give to parents, include:

  • Talk to your children about the dangers of being a money mule and the ramifications
  • Educate them to be wary of unsolicited offers of easy money or fake jobs advertised on social media platforms seeking “Agents” – there is no easy money – if it sounds too good to be true then it usually is
  • Be wary if your son or daughter tells you they have a new online job
  • Be alert for the signs of your children having unexplained money
  • Has your child has unexpectedly or frequently purchasing expensive clothes / phones / etc.
  • Have parental controls on their phones, if children – know what they are accessing online
  • Talk to your children / teenager on the dangers of being a money mule and the impact having a criminal conviction
  • Ensure children /students don’t give their bank account details to anyone they don’t know and the importance of it
  • Educate children /students to be wary of unsolicited offers of easy money, or easy work opportunities i.e. no qualifications or interview required etc. – there is no easy money – if it sounds too good to be true then it usually is.

Since 2020 – YTD 2025, An Garda Síochána has initiated over 170 prosecutions by way of charge or summons for the offence of Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering & Terrorism Financing) Act 2010

* Information is based on data available at 14/09/2025 covering 01/01/2020 – 14/09/2025.

According to a FraudSMART survey:

  • Nearly half (45%) of 18–24-year-olds reported that they, or someone they know, have been approached to use their bank account to transfer money.
  • One in three (34%) 18–24-year-olds admitted they would consider using their bank account to lodge or transfer money on behalf of someone else, in exchange for keeping some of the money.