A reformed offender has warned students that laundering drug money will "destroy their lives" as it emerges dealers are targeting pupils in the county.

The stark warning comes after it was revealed pupils travelling to schools in Dartford and Gravesend are being contacted via AirDrop - a system that allows Apple devices to share things via bluetooth - requesting their bank details in exchange for money.

Dealers are offering them hundreds of pounds in exchange for holding dirty money they are making.

Bali Rodgers, who set up Gravesend-based charity Refocus with her husband Lennox in 2005, thinks dealers are targetting school children because of their clean accounts.

She said: "It’s more that dealers know they have got bank accounts. Young people don’t realise the consequences of this if they are arrested.

“There’s a broad range of reasons why this is happening. It’s an opportunity for criminals to use clean bank accounts for their dirty money.

“Once the students are involved it’s hard to get them out. It’s not as easy as just getting money, it will destroy their lives.

“They need to be caught before they get involved."

The 50-year-old thinks adults, including parents and staff at schools, need to be educated about the problem.

She added: "The schools need to work very closely with services and allow us to help.

“It’s not just one school in Dartford, it’s every school and even out of schools, it's happening in Gravesend too.

"Educating parents is a massive part as well and we need to make sure they’re aware of what their child is doing and what they’re buying because it’s very cleverly hidden.

“It’s mainly the older students who are starting to live independently. Sixth formers are given a great opportunity to pay for things in their life.

“They need to be made aware that it is a crime that will get you in a lot of trouble and will affect their future."

Mrs Rodgers, who was arrested three times before the age of 11, thinks these 'money mules' don't understand where the money is coming from.

She said: “At the end of the day it is fraud, and it’s for dirty money.

“The students involved don’t understand this – it's from selling drugs, sex trafficking or selling guns.

“The quicker schools are open and educate people on the dangers they face, the better.

“People that are involved in it should talk to someone as quickly as possible, and anyone that is considering should really avoid it."

Chief Inspector Andy Gadd, the chief inspector for Gravesham and Dartford, said: "In June we received a report that fraudsters had asked students in Dartford for their bank details in an attempt to launder money.

"A further report was received at the end of September and inquiries into both instances remain ongoing.

"Making a bank account available for money gained through crime is a criminal offence which can carry a custodial sentence..." - Chief Inspector Andy Gadd

"Officers have raised this issue with schools and are continuing to work alongside them to safeguard pupils, assess whether any criminal offences have taken place and, where necessary, take enforcement action.

"Making a bank account available for money gained through crime is a criminal offence which can carry a custodial sentence.

"It can also result in the account being closed and have a negative impact on future financial arrangements."

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, revealed in some cases children who had been contacted were using their parents bank accounts as well as their own.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101, or they can contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

If anyone is involved in these crimes and wants to speak to someone confidentially they can contact Refocus charity by emailing info@refocusproject.co.uk or calling 0203 4051 787.

Donna Lodge is chief executive of the multi-academy trust that runs Wilmington Grammar School for Boys, Wilmington Grammar School for Girls and Wilmington Grammar Sixth Form.

She said pupils from her schools are among those to have been targeted.

She said: “We recognise that a growing number of schools are facing the risk of pupils being targeted by criminals, not just at school but wherever young people gather including youth clubs, transport to and from school and other public places.

“We continue to take steps to reduce this risk where we can, including educating pupils, parents and the wider community on the issue of financial fraud, sharing information with other schools and working with organisations such as Action Fraud and NatWest bank.”

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said he was concerned that such crimes are taking place in his town.

He said: "This is an issue that has affected different schools throughout the county.

"It is a concern this is happening but Dartford schools have been very pro-active in tackling the problem over recent weeks.

"They have set up a working group of senior teachers which have been working with Kent Police and most importantly they have made the children aware of the risks.”