New law on criminal liability for droppers: what bank clients need to know
Who is a dropper?
A drop (or dropper) is a person who, either voluntarily or unknowingly, participates in financial schemes by providing their account, card, or details for conducting various operations.
In most cases, droppers are offered a small reward for their services, such as issuing a card, receiving and forwarding money, providing access to online banking, etc. However, sometimes, individuals who consider these actions harmless may not even realize their involvement in unlawful activities.
There are several types of droppers. The main categories include:
Cash handlers — receive money and cash it out.
Transit participants — accept transfers and send them to other participants.
Depositors — deposit cash into accounts and pass it further.
Regardless of the specific role a dropper plays, all of this forms part of the money laundering chain involving illegally obtained funds: from thefts from citizens' accounts to income from illegal businesses.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can become a victim of fraud, but scammers most often involve teenagers, students, pensioners, and other people lacking sufficient financial literacy.
Common methods of involvement in criminal activity include:
- Announcements about "quick earnings" in messengers and social networks;
- Offers to open a card and pass it for a reward;
- "Accidental transfers" from strangers with requests to return the money;
- Requests to "help at an ATM" or to provide card details during an "interview."
Participation in such activities constitutes a violation of Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Russia, which penalizes unlawful circulation of payment funds. Penalties depend on the role in the scheme and the level of awareness: the maximum punishment can include a fine of up to 1 million rubles and/or imprisonment for up to 7 years.
Additionally, a dropper may be blacklisted by banks and held civilly liable, including being required to compensate for all damages caused to victims by scammers.
How not to become a dropper?
To avoid accidental involvement in criminal activities with serious legal consequences, follow basic financial security rules:
- Do not share your cards, login details, passwords, or personal information with strangers.
- Be cautious of suspicious offers of quick and easy earnings.
- Do not transfer money to strangers, especially if asked to forward funds with promises of a reward.
- Regularly monitor your account activity and immediately report suspicious transactions to your bank.
- Ensure the financial safety of your children and elderly relatives—regularly discuss potential risks and explain how to act correctly in different situations.
Remember, your attentiveness and awareness are your main tools for protecting and maintaining financial security. By being cautious and responding promptly to potential threats, you can safeguard yourself and your loved ones from involvement in illegal activities and their negative consequences.
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New law on criminal liability for droppers: what bank clients need to know
From July 5, 2025, in Russia, amendments to the criminal legislation came into force, establishing responsibility for participation in illegal operations involving bank cards and payment instruments. Particular attention is given to so-called droppers—straw persons through whom fraudsters transfer money obtained via criminal means. A detailed explanation of this type of fraud was provided by Andrey Popov, head of the bank Khlynov's information security department.