Bid to stop ‘dirty money’ funding local crime

Crimestoppers has launched a major new campaign across our policing area to shine a spotlight on money laundering and encourage people to speak up safely and anonymously.

The Independent charity said criminal gangs generate huge sums of cash from drugs supply, human trafficking, modern slavery, counterfeit goods, weapons sales and sexual exploitation. But to enjoy lavish lifestyles, they must ‘clean’ or launder this ‘dirty money’.

This often involves cash-only businesses, such as barber shops, nail bars, pubs, takeaways, car washes, taxi companies or haulage firms. Some pay ‘money mules’ to transfer funds through bank accounts or smuggle cash abroad. Once cleaned, the money fuels further activity.

Hayley Fry, National Manager for Crimestoppers Wales said: “Across Wales and the North West, there are businesses open late with few customers, often cash-only, that don’t add up. They may be criminal fronts. If you’ve noticed something suspicious or you know about money laundering, speak to us 100% anonymously. Together we can stop organised crime from taking root in our communities.”

The public campaign highlights warning signs to look out for, showing how seemingly legitimate businesses or individuals may be involved in laundering criminal profits. Crimestoppers is encouraging people who have suspicions or knowledge about money laundering to share what they know completely anonymously, ensuring that action can be taken.

Signs to spot: 

• Cash-only businesses with few customers but still trading
• Shops open unusual or long hours
• The same staff always present
• Groups gathering where no trade is happening
• Frequent use of high-value banknotes
• Business that regularly changes names or ownership
• Individuals with unexplained wealth or expensive lifestyles

No-one will ever know you contacted Crimestoppers. With Fearless.org and Crimestoppers-uk.org, computer IP addresses are never traced. For telephone calls to the independent charity’s UK Contact Centre, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility. You will stay 100% anonymous.