Ukraine's Parliament Advances Bill to Toughen Penalties for Financial Fraud 'Droppers'

Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada voted on Tuesday to support in the first reading a draft law that significantly increases liability for so-called "droppers" — individuals who provide their bank cards or account access to fraudsters for use in criminal schemes. The bill, backed by a majority of deputies, introduces a tiered system of administrative and criminal sanctions calibrated to the severity of the offense.

Under the proposed amendments, transferring one's own payment card or granting access to an account for fraudulent purposes would draw a fine of 5,100 to 7,000 hryvnias. More severe penalties target the acquisition, storage, or resale of third-party card details and payment data: fines of up to 170,000 hryvnias or imprisonment of up to six years, rising to eight years for repeat violations.

The legislation also addresses the forgery of payment instructions and the illegal use of electronic money, punishable by fines up to 85,000 hryvnias or up to four years in prison. Lawmakers say the measure aims to disrupt the financial infrastructure that enables widespread phone and online scams, which have surged in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began. The bill must pass a second reading and presidential signature before entering into force.