Up to 6 Years Imprisonment: State Duma Passes Law on Criminal Liability for Droppers

The State Duma has passed a law toughening the punishment for droppers. Now they can be imprisoned for six years for helping to cash out stolen money. The bill proposes to supplement Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Russia, which concerns the illegal circulation of payment instruments.

The transfer of an electronic means of payment and access to it to another person for mercenary purposes in order to commit illegal transactions is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of 100 to 300 thousand rubles, or compulsory labor for up to 480 hours, or correctional labor for up to two years, or restriction of freedom or forced labor for up to three years.

It is proposed to introduce the same punishment for illegal financial transactions using electronic means of payment, if they are committed on the instructions of another person or in his interests and for the purpose of personal gain.

For the purchase or transfer of electronic means of payment and access to them for selfish purposes, if this is done by a person who is not a bank client, in order to commit illegal transactions, it is proposed to establish a punishment of up to six years of imprisonment and a fine of 100 to 500 thousand rubles.

For committing illegal actions using electronic payment systems by a person who is not a bank client, it is proposed to introduce punishment in the form of forced labor for a term of up to 5 years with a fine of 300 thousand to one million rubles or in the amount of the convicted person's salary or other income for a period of one to three years, or without it. It is also possible to imprison for up to six years with a fine of 300 thousand to one million rubles or in the amount of the convicted person's salary or other income for a period of one to three years, or without it, with restriction of freedom for up to two years or without it.

Earlier, the Central Bank of Russia introduced a newrestriction on money transfers. From May 15, citizens will be able to send no more than 100 thousand rubles per month if they are included in the list of droppers - people who help fraudsters withdraw stolen funds.

Read more on the topic:

Who are droppers and why are they being actively fought: a detailed analysis

80 thousand Russians become droppers every month

How not to accidentally become a dropper: simple rules