Implemented severe penalties for drug traffickers in Russia
Hitting the Russo Jackpot: The Unsung Villains Known as 'Droppers'
It's a harsh reality in Russia, where the term 'droppers' has become a household phrase, conjuring up images of unsuspecting individuals unknowingly aiding in the illegal activities of fraudsters. Sure, here's a visual to paint a better picture - [Insert Image of a Dystopian Cityscape].
Who are these Droppers?
In the digital jungle, these droppers are the lifeblood of fraudulent schemes. President Putin has signed a law, nemesis to these unwitting accomplices, imposing criminal liability on them[1]. They're the Joe Bowers, the Liz Lemon's of the fraud world - providing their bank cards, accounts, SIM cards, or online service accounts, all for a fee, to be used for cashing out or transferring money by masterminds lurking in the shadows. The cherry on top? They help these fraudsters trick ordinary folks, while they dance anonymously in the shadows[2].
Before this law, nailing droppers for their crimes was like trying to catch smoke with bare hands, explains Alexei Govyrin, a deputy in the Russian parliament, to KP.RU. The lack of direct qualification in the legislation and the challenges in proving the subjective aspect of the crime led to most actions against droppers falling outside the purview of criminal prosecution. These cases were confined to account blockages by banks as part of internal operation monitoring[3]*
The Dark Side of Russian Society: A Glimpse from the Shadows
In essence, a dropper is a key player in a stable criminal scheme[4].
The Looming Threat for Droppers
The penalties for droppers have been added to Russia's Criminal Code, under Article 187, "Illegal circulation of means of payment". The article will be augmented with four new sections[5].
! The penalties for transferring a bank card (or other electronic payment means) to another person with the intent that they commit illegal actions range from 100,000 - 300,000 rubles fine or a fine equivalent to the defendant's salary or other income for 3-12 months, or imprisonment for up to three years[5].
! Performing illegal transactions out of self-interest upon the instruction of another person results in the same penalty as above[5].
The acquisition of a card (or other electronic payment means) with the intention of transferring it to someone who intends to commit illegal activities is met with a fine of 300,000 to 1 million rubles or prison for up to six years, with a fine of 100,000 to 500,000 rubles[5].
Using another person's bank card (or other electronic payment means) for criminal activities results in compulsory labor for up to five years, with a fine of 300,000 to 1 million rubles[5].
According to Govyrin, the severity of the penalties varies depending on the level and nature of a person's involvement. Moreover, the responsibility of organizers of these schemes, dubbed 'drop masters', has been legally separated and face more severe penalties[6]*
The Wide Net of Suspects
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs estimates that there are approximately 2 million droppers in the country[7]. It's currently unclear whether all these droppers are accounted for or this is an expert estimate. However, the Central Bank has already provided law enforcement agencies with lists of suspected droppers, containing 30,000 names[7].
How to stay off the Radar
Many are left wondering, what if you unwittingly hand your card to fraudsters? Or if fraudsters steal your card? Fear not, citizen, for the law is not without mercy. A person who provides data for free, say, out of ignorance, will not be held criminally liable[8]. Nor will someone who hands over their card under duress[8].
To avoid becoming a suspicious character in a criminal investigation, Govyrin advises citizens to shun card and cash schemes, avoid giving bank cards and passwords to third parties, not grant anyone access to personal banking apps, refrain from repeatedly cashing out funds from individuals with questionable reputations, and absolutely avoid any suspicious financial schemes or operations involving compensation[9]. The key evidence of intentional wrongdoing is receiving payment for sharing card details.
In the digital world, those who inadvertently aid fraudulent schemes by providing bank cards, accounts, or online service accounts for a fee are known as 'droppers'. These individuals unwittingly assist the masterminds behind the schemes, tricking ordinary people while dancing anonymously in the shadows of the business and crime-and-justice landscape. The new criminal law signed by President Putin imposes penalties on droppers, placing them under Article 187, "Illegal circulation of means of payment", with various penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.
