Campaign launched to tackle money laundering

Crimestoppers anonymously gives information to the police

Independent charity Crimestoppers has launched a new campaign to disrupt money laundering in the South West.

It said it was appealing to members of the public to look for signs of people laundering money and to report it to them anonymously.

Criminals frequently use cash-heavy businesses, such as nail bars, car washes and taxi firms, as fronts in order to "clean" money, the charity said.

The campaign is being sponsored by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit to promote awareness of money laundering.

Some warning signs include:

• Businesses dealing mainly in cash or holding unusually large cash amounts

• Frequent use of foreign currency or high denomination notes

• Businesses regularly changing name, ownership or type

• Individuals displaying unexplained wealth with no clear source of income

• Regular travel without a legitimate purpose

• Loan shark activity

• Purchase of expensive items without visible means

• Frequent movement of large sums through multiple accounts – sometimes using other people's accounts

South West regional manager at Crimestoppers Karen MacDonald explained young people were often victims.

"Another issue is young people getting approached by people to wash their money through young people's bank accounts.

"Young people do not always realise that that is a crime and that they could end up with a criminal record," she said.

"If you've got some information about this, however small, you can give it to us and then we pass that on to the police and you are 100% anonymous and that's a promise that we will keep."