Fraudsters can exploit Russian citizens as “drops,” unwittingly involving them in criminal schemes. Konstantin Gorbunov, a cybersecurity expert from Code Security, issued this warning and provided advice on how to avoid becoming an unwitting accomplice.
Gorbunov described a common scheme: when someone is withdrawing money from an ATM, a fraudster approaches them, pretending to be a regular passerby who doesn`t have a card for that particular bank. The scammer asks the person to transfer money from a third-party card to their account and then withdraw it. After such an operation, the unsuspecting individual becomes a “drop.”
Another method involves fraudsters transferring money to the victim`s account via phone number. Subsequently, posing as bank employees, they demand the funds back, claiming an error occurred. However, they instruct the victim to send the money to different account details.
Gorbunov also noted that some fraudulent schemes explicitly offer “drop work,” while others are disguised as charitable activities. The main “advantages” promised by recruiters include an easy start, no need for special knowledge, and quick earnings with minimal effort.
Typical tasks for “drops” include opening new bank cards to transfer to fraudsters, receiving transfers to their own accounts followed by cash withdrawal or forwarding to other details, and depositing cash into their account for sending to handlers.
“Teenagers and students are at the highest risk,” Gorbunov emphasized. “Some of them might even be aware of the potential negative consequences, but the allure of `quick money` and false promises from handlers about impunity for the first offense push them to take the risk.”
To avoid participating in criminal schemes, the expert advises following simple rules. Firstly, do not accept money transfers from strangers, and under no circumstances should you forward or cash them out further. Secondly, it is essential to decline job offers that require accepting or making transfers on your behalf. And, of course, never hand over your bank cards to unauthorized individuals.
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law introducing criminal liability for “dropping” – the act of transferring bank cards and their details to third parties for illicit operations. These new provisions have been added to Article 187 of the Russian Criminal Code, which pertains to the unlawful circulation of payment instruments.
