UK cautious Nigerian students against money laundering

The British Government has warned intending Nigerian students to the United Kingdom against engaging in money laundering and other criminal activities.

The warning, which was issued in a letter addressed to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, by the British High Commission, yesterday in Abuja, was prompted by the revelation by the United Kingdom’s National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) that international students’ bank accounts are being used as conduits for money laundering in the country.

According to the NECC, students are usually targeted through social media platforms for the use of their accounts for third party funds transfer, usually for a fee.

The British Government emphasised the need for students to be mindful of how their bank accounts are used, especially for the transfer of illicit funds as this will result in the termination of their studies and prosecution, when caught.

Stating its resolve to strengthen its fight against money laundering this year, (2020), the government disclosed that it discovered and froze ninety- five bank accounts, mostly belonging to international students, with over 3 Million Euros deposits in 2019 alone.

It stressed that the resolve to take more concrete steps against the activities of money launderers is also prompted by its plan to reintroduce a post study work visa for international graduate students in 2020, which is expected to increase the number of international students, including Nigeria.