New Transfer Limits in Russia: Restrictions for “Droppers” and Anonymous Transactions

In May 2025, Russia’s banking system undergoes another transformation. The new regulations affect money transfers between individuals. One rule targets individuals suspected of participating in illegal cash-out schemes (“droppers”). The second applies to anonymous transactions made without a bank account. Both are part of a broader anti-fraud strategy and aim to strengthen financial monitoring.

Transfer Limit: 100,000 RUB per Month

Starting May 15, 2025, the Central Bank of Russia enforces a new law limiting peer-to-peer transfers to 100,000 rubles per month. The goal is to fight money laundering and fraudulent schemes. Suspected droppers will be added to a special database shared among banks, credit institutions, and law enforcement. These individuals may face blocked accounts or strict limits. If no suspicious activity occurs within two years, restrictions will be lifted automatically.

Exceptions apply to legal entities, payments for goods and services, and internal account transfers.

Central Bank Recommendations:
- Never accept offers to open or lend out your bank card.
- Do not share banking credentials.
- Report fraud to the police and your bank immediately.

Criminal Liability for Droppers

A draft law under review proposes criminal penalties for knowingly transferring payment tools for profit. Sanctions may include up to 3 years in prison or a fine of 300,000 RUB. If the individual is not a bank client and actively participates in a fraudulent scheme, penalties increase to 6 years or a fine of 500,000 RUB.

From June 1, 2025, Russia’s financial watchdog will be authorized to suspend suspicious operations for up to 10 days.

Anti-Fraud Enforcement

In 2024, more than 700,000 accounts used in fraudulent schemes were blocked. Banks now detect suspicious activity in as little as 15 minutes. Fraud-related unauthorized transactions grew by 74.36% compared to 2023, totaling 9.6 billion RUB in losses, of which only 2.7 billion RUB was refunded.

Banks also prevented 13.5 trillion RUB worth of fraudulent transfers thanks to anti-fraud systems. Over 172,000 scam phone numbers and 44,000 phishing websites were reported and blocked.

Explosive Growth in Fast Payment System (FPS)

Despite restrictions, Russia’s FPS continues to thrive. In Q1 2025, users made over 4 billion transactions totaling 22.6 trillion RUB. Seven out of ten Russians use FPS to transfer funds; five in ten use it for purchases. Cashback incentives also drive popularity, with 4 billion RUB awarded in the last year.

New Limits on Non-Account Transfers
From May 30, 2025, single anonymous transactions (e.g., via e-wallets or no-account setups) will be capped at 100,000 RUB. Previously, transfers over 15,000 RUB required simplified ID verification, but there was no hard ceiling. The updated law now sets a clear maximum.

Conclusion

The 2025 regulations introduce two major limits: one for suspected fraud participants and another for anonymous transfers. While the goal is to enhance financial transparency and security, these measures signal increasing state oversight over private transactions.