Bureau de change stores offering international money transfer services are thriving in the UK, despite the growing popularity of mobile payments. However, these shops are not without their dark side, as they are at risk of being exploited by criminals involved in the violent UK drugs trade and global organised crime. Gangs use these stores to launder their ill-gotten gains, often by targeting shops with lax ID requirements. While there is no suggestion that all of these shops are involved in criminal activity, several managers have admitted that criminals have infiltrated parts of the industry.