Definition of Dropping
Recently, there have been more frequent cases of people being detained who seemingly have not committed any crimes. These individuals, referred to as droppers, provide their bank cards, accounts, or personal information for cashing out and transferring funds stolen from others.
Dropping is a form of fraud. People acting as droppers may not realize that they are helping criminals launder stolen money. Thus, they become accomplices to crimes, even if they were unaware of the illegality of their actions.
Previously, Kyrgyz legislation did not provide for liability for dropping. However, in April 2025, lawmakers proposed amendments to the Criminal Code to introduce penalties for this act. In 2024, law enforcement agencies initiated 1,658 criminal cases in the IT sector, of which only about half were solved.
Ignorance is No Excuse
Now, a new article has been introduced in the Criminal Code, stating that the transfer or sale of one's bank card, virtual asset wallet, and SIM card to third parties for the purpose of committing illegal actions carries a fine of 20,000 to 50,000 soms.
If such an act results in significant damage or is committed by a group of individuals, the penalty becomes harsher: corrective labor from two months to one year, a fine from 50,000 to 100,000 soms, or imprisonment for up to three years.
In cases of dropping using official positions, even stricter penalties are provided — imprisonment from three to five years or a fine from 100,000 to 200,000 soms, and for causing damage on a particularly large scale — imprisonment for a term of five to ten years with confiscation of property.
Since the introduction of these norms, law enforcement agencies have reported detentions of droppers across the country, including entire groups, often consisting of young people.
For instance, in October 2025, more than 40 droppers were detained, and the damage from their actions amounted to over 15 million soms. The frequency of reports of detentions for transferring their cards is increasing.
Be Cautious of Scammers
In early February, the Ministry of Internal Affairs issued an official warning about criminal liability for dropping, stating that there have already been arrests related to this crime. Exact statistics on the number of detainees are unavailable; however, the Ministry is actively identifying all those involved. An accompanying video showed several young people explaining that they sold their bank cards for 2,000 to 3,000 soms and are now facing legal consequences.
This video serves as a reminder: freedom is more valuable than the 2,000 to 3,000 soms that can be earned by selling your bank card.
The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan emphasizes that many droppers do not realize they are participating in criminal activity, as scammers create a false impression of the legality of their actions.
Recruitment of droppers often occurs through messengers such as Telegram and WhatsApp, as well as through social networks like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. This usually happens in closed groups where job advertisements are posted.
“Scammers formulate their offers as neutrally as possible, avoiding obvious signs of illegal activity. They typically use phrases like ‘assistance in receiving payments,’ ‘working with transfers,’ while terms like ‘dropper’ or ‘fraud’ are not used. In some situations, they even assist in obtaining bank cards and SIM cards,” the National Bank reports.
Recruiters use psychological tricks to convince victims that this is “just a way to avoid taxes” or “support for foreign businesses.” Most often, victims are students in need of money for tuition or new equipment.
Sometimes acquaintances or relatives themselves involve people in dropping, unaware that they are intermediaries in fraudulent schemes. The use of trust relationships allows criminals to reduce the risk of refusal. In such cases, a person who has granted access to their account may sincerely believe they are just helping, not understanding the consequences.
The National Bank regularly sends out warnings about fraud and urges citizens to enhance their financial and legal literacy to avoid criminal liability.
How to Avoid Dropping
- Do not transfer your bank card: this is your “financial passport,” and transferring it or app data to third parties is strictly prohibited.
- Beware of job offers for “transfers”: a legitimate business will not use personal cards of random people for transactions.
- Do not cash out money for strangers: if someone asks you to withdraw money from an ATM, it could be an attempt to use you as a dropper.
- Check sources: if funds are credited to your card from a stranger, do not spend or transfer them, but immediately notify the bank about a possible error.
Dropping is not a way to make easy money, but a dangerous trap. The organizers of such schemes often remain in the shadows, operating from outside the country, while droppers become the first victims of law enforcement.
