How not to become a dropper

Money mules are people who, for money, provide fraudsters with their data or cards to withdraw stolen funds. This helps criminals cover their tracks after committing a crime.

Fraudsters offer:

• Sell your card or apply for a new one for payment.
• Withdraw money from an ATM at the request of a stranger.
  
• Return an erroneous transfer to another account.
  
• Remote work without experience, with a high salary and no clear responsibilities.
• Work as a «lottery administrator» or help a «bank employee» meet a target.
  

You can learn more here.

• Transfer stolen money to themselves.
• Make payments for items and substances prohibited from circulation — drugs, weapons, explosives.
  
• Finance terrorism, extremism, and other dangerous crimes.
  

• Teenagers over 14 years old
• students;
  
• elderly people;
  
• those who are looking for easy money.
  

• Criminal liability: up to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to RUB 1 million — Articles 159, 174, 187, 210 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
  
• Blocking of the dropper’s banking transactions if their data are included in the Bank of Russia database.
  

• Do not share your card details or your card itself with anyone.
• Do not transfer or withdraw other people's money using your card.
• If you receive a mistaken transfer, contact the bank.
  
• Carefully review job offers.
  
• Monitor your minor children's cards and teach them financial safety.
  
• If you suspect fraud, block your card and notify the bank.
  
• Report suspicious requests to the police or the Bank of Russia at 112 and 8 800 300-30-00.

You can learn more about money mule activity here.

Who are money mules

Money mules are people who, for money, give fraudsters their data or cards to withdraw stolen funds. This helps criminals cover their tracks.

Who is at risk

• Teenagers over 14 years old
• students
• elderly people
• Those looking for easy money
  

How fraudsters use cards

• They transfer stolen money.
• They make payments for illegal goods — drugs, weapons, explosives.
• They finance terrorism, extremism, and other dangerous crimes.
  

How people are drawn into the scheme

Fraudsters offer:

• To sell a card or apply for a new one for a fee.
• To return a mistaken transfer to another account.
• Remote work without experience, with high pay and no clear responsibilities.
• To withdraw money from an ATM for an acquaintance.
• To work as a lottery administrator or help a bank employee meet a target.
  

What money muling can lead to

• Criminal liability: up to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to 1 million rubles — Articles 159, 174, 187, and 210 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
• Blocking of all banking transactions if the data is included in the Bank of Russia database.
  

How to protect yourself

• Do not give anyone your card details or your card itself.
• Do not transfer or withdraw someone else’s money.
• Check job offers carefully.
• If you receive a mistaken transfer, contact the bank.
• Monitor children’s cards and teach them safety rules.
  
• Report suspicious requests to the police or the Bank of Russia by calling 112 and 8 800 300-30-00.
  
• If you suspect fraud, block the card and inform the bank.

You can learn more about money muling here.