Russia cracks down on surging dropper networks as fraud hits 90B rubles

Russian authorities are stepping up efforts to tackle the growing problem of dropper networks—fraudulent schemes where individuals open accounts to launder illegal funds. In 2025, transactions linked to these activities surged to 90 billion rubles, a 1.7-fold increase from the previous year. Experts now warn that criminals are adapting by shifting operations to smaller banks and spreading their networks more widely. The scale of the issue has pushed regulators and banks to explore stricter controls. One key proposal from Vladimir Grachev includes limiting the number of payment cards a single person can hold. He also called for mandatory sender and recipient details on all transfers and stronger cross-border data sharing to track suspicious activity.

Algorithms already in use have cut dropper-related transactions by three times, showing some success. But concerns remain, especially with underage involvement—minors make up roughly 25% of participants nationwide, with numbers climbing as high as 40% in regions like Tyumen Oblast. To address this, banks may soon need to verify parental consent before opening accounts for children. Another measure under discussion is the **AntiDrop** platform, set for launch in 2024. It will require tax identification numbers (INNs) for all account openings and transactions. However, no records confirm whether the Central Bank tested the system before its planned rollout. Industry expert Maksim Filimonov also urged closer collaboration between banks' anti-fraud and compliance teams to improve detection.

The fight against dropper networks is intensifying, with new tools and regulations on the horizon. Stricter verification, transaction limits, and cross-border cooperation aim to disrupt these schemes. Yet the rise in underage involvement and the shift to smaller banks suggest criminals are already finding ways to evade detection.