‘Money laundering and law enforcement - an alternative perspective?’

Ryder, Nicholas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8712-2946 and Mapston, Samantha 2026. ‘Money laundering and law enforcement - an alternative perspective?’. [Project Report]. Cardiff University.

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Abstract

Executive Summary Educational institutions are exposed to money laundering by accepting the proceeds of crime via the payment of fees or donations. Simultaneously, students are being targeted by organised criminals to launder their proceeds of crime. While policymakers are beginning to recognise the need to combat money laundering involving educational institutions and students, the legal framework remains underdeveloped. This research project aimed to improve understanding of the law enforcement response to money laundering risks in educational settings in England and Wales. It identifies the money laundering risks to which educational institutions and their students are exposed. It also provides evidence regarding how regulators and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) respond to educational institutions, children and young people, who are exposed to money laundering. Primary, multifaceted data was gathered using questionnaires sent (as Freedom of Information requests) to law enforcement, government departments, agencies and regulators, as well as semi-structured interviews with representatives of the law enforcement community. This project found that law enforcement responses concentrate on individual, rather than institutional, involvement in money laundering. Data on money laundering offences recorded by 36 police forces in England and Wales revealed that 8,956 individuals under 30 years of age were involved in money laundering offences, but available data does not reveal how many of these individuals are in education. 776 individuals under 18 years of age, many of whom are likely to still be in full-time education, were also recorded as being involved in money laundering offences. Qualitative data revealed that the law enforcement community perceive students, particularly international students, as vulnerable to becoming involved in money laundering. Accordingly, significant efforts are being undertaken by law enforcement to prevent and respond to student involvement in money laundering offences. Looking beyond educational settings, this project also revealed that money laundering enforcement more generally is concentrated, uneven, and resource-driven. Interviews reveal that the criminal justice system performs better in responding to simpler cases, while complex financial crime remains challenging. Ultimately, this report highlights the need for greater consistency, capability, coordination and allocation of resources across jurisdictions in tackling money laundering, including in educational settings.

Item Type:	Report (Project Report)
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Cardiff Law & Politics
Publisher:	Cardiff University
Funders:	Joffe Trust
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	2 September 2026
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2026 01:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188349

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