Targeting money laundering in Surrey

Criminals are making vast amounts of money illegally from serious and organised crime, and need to ‘wash’ this so that they can fund their lavish lifestyles.

So we've launched a major campaign to target this money laundering. We're encouraging members of the public to learn how this is done, discover the signs to spot, and to pass on what they see and hear to Crimestoppers - 100% anonymously.

Call free on 0800 555 111 or go to our online form, here on our website:

Give information anonymously

What is money laundering, and how is it carried out?

Money made by criminals from drug dealing, counterfeit goods, human trafficking, modern slavery, selling weapons, sexual exploitation and other serious crimes cannot be easily spent or invested without concerns being raised, so criminals often go to elaborate measures to launder their money.

This is often done by using cash businesses as 'fronts', such as barber shops that may possibly be open long hours with very little custom. Nail bars, pubs, food takeaways, taxi companies, haulage firms and car washes are other businesses that can be involved.

Sometimes legal, financial and property professionals enable money laundering - either knowingly or unwittingly.

The criminals also draw young people into their crimes by persuading or paying them to use their bank account to launder the money, or to travel abroad with the dirty money. Once ‘washed’, this money is then able to be used to fund a lavish lifestyle in the UK or abroad.

What are the signs to spot?

The key to making our communities safer places to live and work is to prevent criminals from profiting from the pain and misery they cause.

Cash-only businesses that appear to have few customers yet are still trading
Shops operating unusual or extended hours
The same employees always being present
Groups of people frequently gathering at a shop without customers
People regularly using notes of high denomination values
Businesses that regularly change either name, or type.
Those with unidentified wealth/no legitimate income
People who regularly travel, with no clear reason for doing so
Loan sharks
People who are regularly purchasing high value/luxury items
People who use other people’s bank accounts to regularly move large amounts of money
Those who look to use other people to hold and move money between accounts
People storing large amounts of cash/assets

The connection to organised immigration crime

Organised immigration crime is a grave issue that affects not only the individuals involved but also the broader community. Criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people, often subjecting them to dangerous and inhumane conditions to illegally enter the UK. These organised crime gangs profit from human suffering and their actions often lead to severe consequences:

Loss of life: many migrants face life-threatening journeys, often in overcrowded and unsafe vehicles or boats. Tragically, not everyone survives the journey. The perilous conditions include exposure to extreme weather, lack of food and water, and the risk of drowning or suffocation. These journeys are often undertaken with the promise of a better life, but the reality is far more harrowing.
Adverse impact on communities: the presence of organised crime gangs can lead to increased violence and criminal activities within communities. These gangs often engage in other illegal activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent crimes which harm everyone in the community.
Exploitation and modern slavery: migrants are often forced into exploitative labour or sex work, living in fear and unable to seek help. They may be coerced into working in unsafe conditions for little or no pay, with their movements and communications strictly controlled by these criminal gangs.

See one of our recent campaigns tackling organised immigration crime

Why should I give information?

Criminals like to perpetuate the myth that you shouldn’t 'grass'. This allows them to continue inflicting damage to our communities and suffering to many, whilst living off the profits of their crimes.

Many people have suspicions of those who live a lavish lifestyle, but do not work, or of cash businesses that have few customers yet are still trading.

Anyone who has information about those orchestrating or carrying out crime can contact our charity anonymously - we guarantee this.

We will never ask for your name, or any other personal details.
Computer IP addresses are never traced.
Telephone calls are never recorded - there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.

Even the police won’t know who provided the information. What matters is what you tell Crimestoppers, not who you are. The only person who will know you have contacted us is you.

Speak up. Stay safe. Stop crime.

Got information? Call free on 0800 555 111 or go to our online form, here on our website: