Children as young as 14 are being recruited as "money mules" for sophisticated international organised crime operations, according to gardaí.
Money mules allow criminal organisations to use their bank accounts to launder money obtained through fraud.
They are mostly recruited through social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat but some are convinced to act as money mules by peers.
Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau warned that money mules can be convicted of a money laundering offence.
In a briefing with reporters, Detective Superintendent Cryan said: "It carries a potential prison sentence of 14 years. But other than that, your home will be searched by the guards. You’ll be arrested, you’ll be photographed, you’ll be fingerprinted, you’ll have your DNA taken.
"If you’re charged and prosecuted, you may have to appear in court, it may be reported on, you may have your picture in the paper.
"Your bank account will be closed, other banks won’t entertain new applications. You’ll potentially be placed on a terrorism watchlist."
He said it could have implications for obtaining loans, visas or jobs in the future.
"On top of all this, you may end up owing a debt to a criminal organisation," Detective Superintendent Cryan said.
He also advised parents to talk to their children about the dangers of being a money mule and to watch out for signs of children "coming into money".
He said other signs include children making expensive purchases, having new friends online or behaving secretive and anxious.
Detective Superintendent Cryan said there was "an explosion in recruitment" of money mules during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said: "It’s going on in secondary schools. It’s going on with kids as young as 14 or 15 years of age. The average is around 19 to 20. We’ve also seen them in their 50s and 60s – rare, but you do see it."
Detective Superintendent Cryan added: "It is difficult to know if it is reducing or not.
"They [gangs] are still able to launder money, they’re still able to recruit money mules. There’s a new generation of kids."
