Money Laundering Lessons to Protect Children

Money Laundering Lessons to Protect Children

We know you flagged that fraud is a concern for you, so this is a quick update to tell you how we’re addressing concerns and supporting residents.

Please be aware of those online scammers who will seize control of children's bank accounts and report any suspicious incidents to police.

There are reports that fraudsters approaching children online with false offers requiring them to disclose bank details hence turning themselves accomplices according to police investigation. A victim might deposit cash then keep a percentage as "gift" , unaware they have joined laundering scheme and could face prosecution. According to police data, a fifth of incidents in 2025 involved someone under age of 21.

We consider fraud to be a serious crime and will put the time in to tackle it however we can. In the meantime, there are ways to keep yourself safe. 

Fraud comes in many forms and across various different channels, whether that's through emails, phone calls or in person encounters. Please see a few resources below to protect you and others from potential fraudsters:   

• Learn the ten golden rules to prevent fraud.
• Find out about the most common types of fraud.
• Download The Little Book of Big Scams to find out more. The Little Book of Big Scams audio version is also available.

 For more information and help and to report fraud, go to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. 

Lastly, if you think you’ve uncovered a scam, been targeted by a scam or fallen victim to fraudsters, please contact 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at Action Fraud.

We want your help to shape the future of policing across London. We are seeking your views on our new inclusion strategy to ensure that the Met is a police service that is trusted, representative and more effective at keeping London safe. You can have your say on our Inclusion Strategy consultation which runs until Thursday 26 November.