Criminals sometimes target students through scams and online fraud. Find out about recent fraud attempts at Sussex and get tips on how to protect yourself.
Fraud updates
Becoming a money mule is a big mistake
Posted on behalf of: Internal Communications
Last updated: Wednesday, 28 February 2024
More and more young people are victims of fraud. One of the main enablers of this are money mules – people who let someone else use their bank account to transfer money.
Criminals often recruit students as money mules. Why? Usually to process cash they’ve got their hands on illegally, such as by stealing. In exchange, the money mule gets to keep a cut. It’s a small price to pay to protect the criminal, so any consequences hit the mule instead of them.
An offer of quick cash might seem great at the time. But if you get caught, you could end up with a criminal record for money laundering.
This a serious crime that could land you in prison for up to 14 years.
There’s also likely to be a huge impact on your mental health, family and ability to trust people. So don’t risk your future. Steer clear of unsolicited offers to make easy money while studying. It’s simply not worth it.
How can I protect myself?
Be suspicious of job adverts that offer the chance to earn quick and easy money. Stick to reputable job sites and remember that if something looks too good to be true, then it probably is.
Don’t sign up for any opportunity without undertaking some proper research. For example, Google any prospective employer, do they have an online presence? Are the contact details legitimate? Is it based overseas?
Don’t engage with any online posts offering large sums of money.
Don’t accept message requests from people you don’t know, and if you receive a message with a link to click from a friend, speak to them in person before you respond.
Don’t share bank and personal details with anyone that you don’t know or trust – even among friends or family. If someone asks to ‘borrow’ your bank account, say no.
Always remember that if you aren’t sure about the source of the money, it could have come from criminal activity, and you could unwittingly be laundering money and end up with a criminal conviction.
What should I do?
If you or someone you know has been approached, break off all contact, don’t receive or move any money, and ask for advice from someone you trust. Criminals operate in silence – by talking about it, you are protecting others.
Report it by calling local Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Contact the HMRC Fraud Hotline online by calling 0800 788 887. Please quote ref: IFMM24. You do not have to give your name or contact details unless you want to.
Contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers 100% anonymously online or by calling 0800 555 111. Please quote ref: IFMM24.
If you see it online, click the button to report it to the social media companies to get it taken down.
If you think someone you know is already involved, go to the NCA website for advice.
If criminals have already got your personal information report it to Action Fraud National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre on 0300 123 2040
Additional information
We Fight Fraud “Crooks on Campus”
BBC iPlayer Scam Stories - The Money Drop
Further information: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/money/fraud
Protect yourself against frauds and scams
Criminals use all kinds of ways to trick you into paying money or giving them valuable information about yourself.
Important: Whenever you receive a telephone call or email from someone you do not know, remember: it could be a scam.
Some common features of fraudulent calls include when the caller:
- appears to be genuine and convincing, because they have some limited information about you (for example, your passport number, as well as your telephone number and name)
- gives you their name and telephone number, to try to convince you they are genuine – the number may even appear on your phone as coming from a genuine source, such as a government department like the Home Office
- advises you not to tell anyone about the call as it would be a security breach.
If you’re contacted
If you receive such a call, email or text, do not:
- give the caller/sender any personal information
- confirm that any information they have is correct.
You may wish to:
- tell the caller or sender you know they are making fraudulent contact and that you will be reporting it to the police and the government, or
- report the matter to Action Fraud, or
- help other potential fraud victims by adding details of your experience to a discussion on the Who Calls Me website.
If you think you have been the victim of fraud, contact the Student Centre and they can refer you to the relevant support service for practical or emotional support.
Tuition fee scams
Be careful of scams or fraudulent activity from anyone who offers to give you a better payment rate than the official University payment partners.
When paying your fees, remember:
- always pay your own fees if you are self-financing – do not use a third-party agent
- never give your log-in details to a third-party
- only use University-approved payment routes through Sussex Direct.
If you are unsure about a payment, call Student Accounts on 0800 849 4979 or email studentaccounts@sussex.ac.uk.
Visa scams
Some criminals specifically target international students, pretending to be from a legitimate organisation (such as the UK Home Office, UKVI or an education agent). They demand money (calling it a “fine” for a non-existent immigration problem) and claim that if you do not pay them quickly there will be damaging consequences (for example, deportation or cancelling your visa).
They might:
- say there is a serious problem with your immigration status, and that you need to pay a fine, or send a payment
- demand payment is made using Western Union or Moneygram as soon as possible, supposedly to prevent further action or investigation by the UK Home Office
- speak in dramatic terms, perhaps talking about deportation or cancelling your visa – this is a common fraudster technique to make you panic and become pressurised into paying the fake fine.
Do not make any payment.
The Home Office does not issue financial penalties and would never call you asking you to make a payment in this way.
Contact our visa team if you suspect you have been targeted by a criminal.
Learn more
The best way to avoid scams (not just as a student, but after your studies as well), is to follow reputable news and be aware of any emerging crime trends.
You can complete the Scams pathway on the Blackbullion learning platform to gain extra financial confidence.
At Sussex, you can keep up with student communications to help stay informed.