Most money laundering arrests involve adults under the age of 30, an analysis of UK police data shows. Between January 2020 and January 2025, 36 police forces in England and Wales recorded 8,956 arrests for money laundering offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 involving adults under 30. Across all age groups, officers recorded 14,493 money laundering arrests, leading to 7,735 charges. The analysis, carried out by academics at Cardiff University and the University of the West of England, used figures obtained via Freedom of Information Act requests. Regional Organised Crime Units and City of London Police also took part in anonymous interviews and surveys, warning that students, particularly international students, are seen as vulnerable to recruitment as money mules. Money mules are people who transfer criminal proceeds, often through a bank account, to disguise the source of the funds and complicate or frustrate investigations. The research says higher education institutions are not included in the Money Laundering Regulations, which require organisations to report suspicions of money laundering and terrorist financing to the UK Financial Intelligence Unit at the National Crime Agency. Academics argue this limits the information shared with law enforcement. The study highlights regional variation, with Greater Manchester (570), Merseyside (566) and Leicestershire (485) recording the highest numbers of offences in the s.327 category mentioned in the analysis. The Metropolitan Police recorded 404 and Devon and Cornwall 327, followed by Kent with 214 and West Yorkshire with 200. As a wider check, publicly available Ministry of Justice data shows 108 children and 420 young adults aged 18 to 24 were convicted of money laundering offences in the same period. Latest status: the figures cover recorded arrests and resulting charges, but no specific case outcomes or court results are provided in the report.