The Rise of Money Launderers on Snapchat and Instagram | Crimewave

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Published 2021-10-25
Gangs are always looking for new ways to launder their money, and in cities like London, Birmingham and Manchester, using money mules has become one of their favorite methods.

Young and vulnerable people are convinced by criminals, often on social media, to let them use their personal bank accounts to receive and send on their illicit earnings. However, there can be serious consequences for those who get involved, from being locked out of the financial system, to even serving time in prison. This crime is still massively under-reported, which in part is what leaves many young people so vulnerable.

00:00 Intro
01:45 Meeting the money mule recruiters
06:26 Speaking with a former money mule
09:44 How international gangs launder illegal cash

VICE investigates this new and booming form of crime and meets the recruiters, the police, and people who have inadvertently got caught up in it.

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All Comments (21)
  • @VICE
    ¿Quieres ver el video en español? Haz clic en el botón de configuración para cambiar la pista de audio. Want to watch this in Spanish? Head over to the settings button to change the audio track.
  • When you do a crime, make sure you always film it and post to social media, law enforcement thanks you in advance
  • @JohnLinsay
    I think you don't understand, it's easier to make money with fixed matches from Awakenbeerus than this. Let's say you take 20 cards, they can all be empty, and you lose $300. Even if you manage to buy something, you still need to sell it to get real cash, and it's illegal. Beerus guy has fixed matches and gives them for free sometimes. Let's say you take that $300 and put it on his picks, it's $50,000. It's way better.
  • @dbonechis
    This has inspired me to become a money mule for cash gained through illegal activities. Thank you, Vice!
  • @nj7068
    now interview the goons in suits and ties who do the same thing
  • I'm so shocked that people on social media offering easy money aren't being honest!
  • People of this new generation can’t even commit major crime without wanting clout lol It’s mad
  • @zhongxina2614
    My best friend at our former school (15 years old then) was dealing drugs for some pocket money in a city of Belgium (Flanders) from a big network of gangs across Europe for a year. The police caught him and send him to a Jeugdinrichting (Youth detention center) for a few months, he got released after that without any major implications. He told me he brought a PS4 and a lot of candy/food with the money he got, the police let him keep the PS4 and the little money that was left over, they also didn't leave any permanent records on him because he still didn't understand the seriousness of his actions then. Several years later we're now going to the same university (KU Leuven) and studying Computer Science.
  • @user-dm3di6dt7r
    I was a mule without realizing, the last service they use is moneygram to get it out of the country
  • This reminds me so much of old school Vice documentaries. This is what made this channel instantly ahead of the game. The reporter is a star in the making. I hope to see him in many many more of these!
  • @MindvsMastery
    Imagine self snitching and telling millions of people your tactics
  • @valeman82406
    A guy I knew recently asked who i banked with randomly and began telling me how he could make us bank… i’m fascinated that this is a real thing and even I could have gotten involved. it’s kinda mindblowing to see something online and realizing you’ve already seen it with ur own eyes.
  • @polar4356
    I love Vice's way of illustrating the negatives that come along with this type of lifestyle.
  • They do realize that the cops won't just bust in and arrest them after one or two times. They may investigate you for at least a year, recording every move you make. Then once they have an encyclopedia of evidence for crimes you have committed then they arrest you, and give you min 20 yr.
  • @tminusnyc2915
    Timeless Rule of Thumb: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Thank you for all the work on these videos - really useful!!
  • You have to be one of the most genuine and most contributing members of society to have an instagram account and followers. It's really doing us a great service and they should be thanked for making the world a better balanced place, and denying their own ego to make something that will serve humans into future. You great job!
  • @Xippone2093
    “I talk in a way that makes them feel like they have no choice” “Manipulation “ “Nah you can’t say that knock it off” 😂💀🤦🏽‍♂️
  • @philipmc4326
    Obi should do more with vice.. He's genuine. I enjoyed this episode.
  • Clearly a very professional company with their customers as main focus. Was lucky to be contacted by one of