Russian President #VladimirPutin has signed a new law introducing criminal liability for so-called "droppers" — individuals who help fraudsters cash out and hide stolen funds by providing access to their bank cards - Source
⏺ The law targets both those directly involved in criminal schemes and those who willingly hand over their cards or account information to third parties, even if they are unaware of the full scope of the crime. Penalties can include up to six years in prison.
⏺ Punishments will vary depending on the circumstances:
If a person gives up their card for personal gain, they could face a fine of up to 1 million rubles or restricted freedom.
⏺ In more serious cases, such as when a card is specifically obtained for illegal purposes, actual prison time may be imposed.
⏺ However, first-time offenders who voluntarily report their involvement and cooperate with the investigation may be exempt from punishment.
⏺ The law aims to break the chain of money laundering operations, where droppers act as intermediaries between cybercriminals and cashing out stolen funds. Authorities believe these new measures will reduce such crimes and increase public awareness about the legal consequences of participating in seemingly “easy money” schemes.