The British government has warned intending Nigerian students to the United Kingdom against engaging in money laundering and other criminal activities.
The warning came on the heels of 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.
Tribune online, gathered that the UK Consulate had written to the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu on the need to warn Nigerian going to study in the country to shun criminal activities.
ALSO READ: Three in court over alleged theft of N1.2m, phones
A statement issued on Friday in Abuja, by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Ben Bem Goong, however, did not indicate if any Nigerian student was involved in money laundering charges in the UK.
According to him, the NECC said students were 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.
and then