Go on a cash traps trail

Discussions about exploitation can be challenging, so here are some useful definitions to help you when you are planning: 

• Money mule - A money mule is a name for someone tricked into helping to move the proceeds of serious crime. Scammers make it seem like an easy way to make money, but acting as a money mule is a criminal offence, with serious consequences.  (Source: HSBC UK, 2025) You can find more information about the term ‘money mule’ in  HSBC's What is a money mule? information.

• Criminal exploitation – Criminal exploitation is child abuse where children and young people are manipulated and coerced into committing crimes.  They might be pressurised into doing things like stealing, storing or carrying drugs, money or weapons. (Source, NSPCC, 2025) You can find information about criminal exploitation and gangs on the NSPCC website. 

Managing Risks and Emotions Associated with Money

• Protecting my Money
• Fraud and ID Theft
• Risk and Return

You’re chatting with someone at school who’s a bit older. They tell you about an easy way to make £100. All you have to do is let them use your bank account for a day to hold some money for a cousin who doesn’t have an account. They tell you that ‘No one will know, it’s not a big deal. You don’t even have to do anything.’

Questions:

• How would this make you feel? 
• What are some red flags in this situation? 
• What could you do instead of saying yes? 

You get a message from someone on social media. They’re offering you a job working from home where you help move money between accounts. They tell you that you’ll get paid weekly and it’s all legit. They ask for your bank details to get started. 

Questions: 

• Why might someone your age be targeted? 
• What might happen if you share your details? 
• Who could you talk to about this? 

A close mate messages you saying they need to send some money to a relative, but can’t use their account because it’s acting up. They ask if they can transfer the money to your account and then you send it on. 

Questions: 

• Would you feel pressured to help? 
• How can you help a friend without risking your account? 
• What would you say if you felt unsure? 

Someone new joins your local youth club. They’ve got designer clothes and talk about how they’re making lots of cash without doing much. They offer to get you in on it and say you just lend them your account for a few hours and you’ll get paid. 

Questions: 

• Why do you think they’re offering this? 
• What might the risks be? 
• What would make you feel uncomfortable here? 

You get an email that looks like it’s from your older cousin. They say they’ve lost their wallet while travelling and need you to receive some money and send it to them via another app. They say not to tell anyone because it’s embarrassing. 

Questions: 

• How can you check if this is really your cousin? 
• Why might someone pretend to be a family member? 
• What could you do to stay safe? 

1. How would this make you feel?

Suggested responses:

• Confused, flattered, tempted, unsure, pressured, nervous. 

Top tips:

• Validate all feelings. Explain that feeling unsure or flattered is normal, but what matters is thinking things through.

2. What are some red flags in this situation?

Suggested responses:

• It’s someone older offering something secretive.
• Being offered money for doing ‘nothing.’
• Being told ‘no one will know.’

Top tips:

• These are classic tactics used in financial exploitation. Remind them that real opportunities don’t need to be secretive.
• Explain that this is called being used as a money mule and it's illegal. A money mule is a name for someone tricked into helping to move the proceeds of serious crime. Scammers make it seem like an easy way to make money, but acting as a money mule is a criminal offence and has serious consequences. (Source: HSBC UK, 2025)

3. What could you do instead of saying yes?

Suggested responses: 

• Say no and walk away. 
• Tell a trusted adult, such as a parent, carer or teacher. 
• Block and avoid further conversation. 

Top tips:

• Asking for help is strong, not weak, and you can use support services, such as Childline or Crimestoppers.

1. Why might someone your age be targeted? 

Suggested responses: 

• Younger people may not recognise scams. 
• May be looking for money or a job.
• Often trusting and unaware of risks. 

Top tips:

• Social media makes it easy for strangers to get in contact with us and exploit our trust, so it’s important to be wary of unexpected messages, especially if they sound too good to be true. 

2. What might happen if you share your details? 

Suggested responses: 

• They could steal your identity or empty your account. 
• You might be part of a crime without knowing it. 
• It could damage your future, such as opening bank accounts, jobs or getting a mortgage.

Top tips:

• Explain the consequences clearly, but calmly, so not to scare anyone.

3. Who could you talk to about this? 

Suggested responses: 

• Contact an advice service, such as the NSPCC or Childline.
• Contact Crimestoppers.
• Report it to the social media platform. 
• A trusted adult, such as a parent, carer or teacher.

Top tips:

• It’s never too late to tell someone and people can always help you. It may be scary, but you won’t get in trouble for telling someone.

1. Would you feel pressured to help? 

Suggested responses:

• Yes, you’d feel pressured because it’s a friend. I’d want to help them. 

Top tips:

• Friendship and loyalty is important, but that shouldn’t make you do something unsafe or illegal.

2. How can you help a friend without risking your account? 

Suggested responses: 

• Offer to go with them to speak to an adult or teacher. 
• Suggest they speak to a parent, carer or trusted adult. 
• Tell them you’re not comfortable sharing with bank stuff. 

Top tips:

• You can help them without putting yourself at risk. One way of helping can be guiding them to safer choices. 

3. What would you say if you felt unsure? 

Some suggested responses are:

• I don’t think I should get involved with money stuff.
• Let’s talk to someone about it.
• That doesn’t feel right to me.

1. Why do you think they’re offering this? 

Suggested responses: 

• They want to use someone else to do something they don’t want to get caught doing. Criminals often use others to hide their tracks and this is a common tactic. 
• They want access to my bank account. 

2. What might the risks be? 

Suggested responses: 

• You could get in trouble with the police. 
• You could have money stolen. 
• Your bank account could be closed and you may be stopped from opening another in the future. 
• It could be linked to a crime, such as drug money.

Top tips:

• Discuss the idea of exploitation, how young people are sometimes used to move money and what you can do, such as who to report it to and what happens if you report it.

3. What would make you feel uncomfortable here? 

Suggested responses: 

• The peer pressure.
• How easy it is to do.
• Being asked to break the rules.

Top tips:

• Acknowledge and validate any gut feelings, such as scared or discomfort. Our instincts are important and often right. 

1. How can you check if this is really your cousin? 

Suggested responses: 

• Call or message them directly in a way you know, such as via another family member or trusted number.
• Ask a parent or carer to help check.

Top tips:

• Talk about phishing and email scams. You could talk about what to spot to tell it may be fake and who you can report it to. Scammers often pretend to be people you know, put pressure on you, need something (usually money) quickly, use slightly different email addresses, sound generic (such as addressed to mum or cousin), and use misspellings or grammatical errors. 

2. Why might someone pretend to be a family member? 

Suggested responses: 

• To trick you into helping. 
• To make you trust them more easily. 

Top tips:

• Scammers often use emotional manipulation. It's okay to double-check who it is, even if it’s a familiar name. 

3. What could you do to stay safe? 

Suggested responses: 

• Never click on any links or share your personal details. 
• Never send any money.
• Avoid replying to the email
• Talk to a trusted adult. 
• Report the message as spam or phishing. 
• Check with them in a different contact method, such as phone call.

Top tips:

• It's always better to double-check and ask questions. It’s okay to say ‘Let me check first.’

This activity may touch on sensitive topics, such as food, money or crime, which some young people or their families might be affected by. 

Consider the needs and personal circumstances of the young people in your group. If you're aware of any young people or adult volunteers who've been the victim of exploitation, speak with them and their parents or carers beforehand. Check that they're comfortable with the activity, as the content could be distressing or re-traumatising.

It’s important to create a safe, positive and supportive space where everyone feels comfortable. Let everyone know it’s okay to ask questions, say if they feel unsure, or step away at any time. Always follow the Yellow Card.

You might need to make adjustments, such as:

• Tell people about the activity in advance
• Offer the option to leave or do an alternative activity
• Speak with parents or carers beforehand
• Remind everyone they can talk to a trusted adult if they’re upset or worried

You can offer trusted support services if needed, such as Childline (0800 1111), Citizen’s Advice (0808 223 1133) and Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).

Make sure that all adult volunteers and young leaders keep all discussions age-appropriate and supportive.