A resident of the Beimbet Mailin district of Kostanay region handed over her bank account for 10,000 tenge. The account was used in a criminal scheme, after which the court found the woman guilty and sentenced her to 1 year of restriction of liberty.
WHAT THE COURT ESTABLISHED
According to the prosecutor's office of Kostanay region, the woman handed over her bank account for a reward. The court found her guilty under Part 4 of Article 232-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Illegal execution of payments and (or) transfers of money using a bank account or payment instrument, or identification means in the interests of a third party or in favour of a third party for material remuneration or benefits of a proprietary nature, or with the aim of obtaining them").
As a punishment, she was sentenced to 1 year of restriction of liberty with probation supervision.
WHY THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN PUBLIC
At the initiative of the district prosecutor's office, the trial was held in an open format with the participation of local residents. Using this case as an example, participants were shown the consequences of handing over a bank account for a reward.
Law enforcement used the trial to prevent similar cases and to explain the liability for taking part in such schemes.
WHO ARE CALLED DROPPERS
The prosecutor's office explains that droppers are people who, for money, hand over bank accounts or cards to third parties or help transfer and cash out funds obtained through criminal means.
Moreover, liability can arise not only for the organisers of the criminal scheme.
For dropper activity, the legislation provides for penalties ranging from a fine to imprisonment of up to 7 years.
The prosecutor's office recommends not handing over bank cards, accounts, SMS codes and personal data to third parties. If a person realises they have become involved in an unlawful scheme, they are advised to contact law enforcement authorities immediately.
