Behind the scenes of financial crime: exploring awareness of money muling in the cypriot context

PurposeThis study aims to identify the key factors that influence public awareness of money muling among digitally active adults in Cyprus. Given Cyprus’s strategic geopolitical position, the ongoing occupation of part of its territory, and its proximity to regions affected by political instability and transnational crime, the country faces heightened exposure to financial offences. These vulnerabilities, compounded by institutional limitations, highlight the need to understand how the public perceives and responds to money muling schemes. By identifying the factors that shape awareness, this research seeks to inform more effective prevention strategies and support policy responses tailored to the Cypriot context.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a quantitative research design. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire comprising closed-ended questions. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify the main factors influencing money mule awareness, followed by multiple regression analysis to examine their causal effect.FindingsThe study shows that Cypriots have a relatively low awareness of money mules, indicating a basic understanding but also substantial room for improvement. Key factors influencing awareness include cybersecurity and financial crime awareness, digital financial literacy and financial fraud awareness. These insights are valuable for policymakers, law enforcement authorities, financial institutions, educators and public awareness campaigns, as they support the design of targeted interventions and the strengthening of efforts against financial crimes.Originality/valueThis study contributes to an underdeveloped body of literature, as research on money muling remains limited globally and particularly scarce in the Cypriot context. In addition to assessing public awareness, the study situates its findings within Cyprus’s broader geopolitical, economic and institutional environment, which the literature identifies as relevant to understanding financial crime risks. The study provides contextually informed empirical evidence that may support future policy discussions, preventive initiatives, and comparative research.