Russia Introduces Law Imposing Up to 6 Years in Prison for ‘Drop’ Account Holders
On June 24, the President of Russia signed a bill amending Article 187 of the Criminal Code
What Changed in Article 187 of the Criminal Code
Article 187 of the Criminal Code (“Illegal Circulation of Payment Instruments”) now includes four new sections:
- Part 3: Transferring a bank card or digital payment tool for a fee — fines of 100,000–300,000 rubles, community service up to 480 hours, or restricted freedom for up to 2 years.
- Part 4: Executing illegal financial operations under third-party instructions — similar penalties.
- Part 5: Purchasing a bank card without being a client and handing it over to fraudsters — fines up to 1 million rubles, forced labor up to 4 years, or imprisonment up to 6 years with an additional fine of 100,000–500,000 rubles.
- Part 6: Using someone else’s card or e-wallet — forced labor up to 5 years or imprisonment up to 6 years, with fines up to 1 million rubles.
Who Faces Criminal Charges
The new law targets the following individuals:
- Bank clients who hand over their cards for money or by instruction.
- People buying cards on behalf of fraudsters without being registered account holders.
- Individuals using someone else’s card or wallet in fraudulent schemes.
First-time offenders who cooperate voluntarily with investigators may be exempt from prosecution.
Facts and Figures
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total stolen in 2024 | 27.5 billion rubles, a 74% increase over 2023 |
| Fraudulent transactions in 2024 | Over 485,000 cases, total losses of 197.5 billion rubles |
| New drop account users per month | ≈ 80,000 people |
| Total estimated drop users | Approx. 2 million people (per Ministry of Internal Affairs) |
How It Works in Practice
Before 2024, banks would block suspicious transactions to drop accounts. Over 700,000 accounts were blocked in one year.
The new law enables authorities to:
- Prosecute not only drop account users, but also organizers of schemes.
- Trace responsibility across the entire fraud network.
- Protect minors — banks are now prohibited from issuing cards to underage clients without parental consent, and involving minors in such schemes is now a criminal offense.
Expert Opinions and Risks
Experts agree that strict penalties may deter potential drop users, but there are concerns:
- It may be hard to prove intent, especially when social engineering is involved.
- Unwitting participants like students, migrants, and retirees are especially at risk.
- A comprehensive approach is needed — including better financial literacy, tighter banking controls, and improved coordination with regulators and law enforcement.
How to Avoid Criminal Liability
To protect yourself from becoming a drop account participant:
- Never share your card, passwords, or banking app access with third parties.
- Avoid participating in “easy money” schemes using other people’s cards.
- If you lose your card, block it immediately and notify your bank.
- Remember: even if you were unaware of the crime, it doesn’t guarantee immunity from liability.
Conclusion
The law enacted on June 24, 2025, strengthens the fight against financial fraud. Drop account users are now subject to criminal prosecution, and law enforcement and banks gain new tools to combat fraud. This marks an important step in disrupting money laundering networks and protecting vulnerable populations.