Threatening severe imprisonment (up to 7 years) for those who distribute or share unauthorized material or goods.
In Kazakhstan, individuals involved in "dropping"—illegal transactions involving bank accounts, payment instruments, or identification means—may now face criminal charges, according to the Mazhilis of the Parliament.
The amendments to the Criminal, Criminal Procedure, and Criminal Executive Codes include a new article (232-1) establishing penalties for these activities. Until now, there was no legal basis to hold "droppers" criminally responsible; they were previously regarded as witnesses or accomplices in fraud.
Under the new law, illegally providing access to one's bank account carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, while illegally executing payments or transfers on behalf of a third party carries a maximum penalty of five years. Providing unauthorized access to manage a bank account could result in a seven-year prison term.
Notably, a first-time offender who voluntarily reports the crime and assists in the investigation or prevention of similar offenses may potentially avoid criminal charges, provided their actions do not constitute another crime.
As of late May 2025, there are no recent reports of amendments to Kazakhstan's criminal codes specifically addressing "dropping" as a separate or newly defined offense. While it is possible the term "dropping" might refer to certain procedural steps like dismissing cases or halting prosecution, there are no current widely reported changes in Kazakh criminal law directly about "dropping" as a specific crime. The available news primarily covered unrelated legal topics, such as extradition for fraud and non-compliance with court decisions, or clarified that certain actions, like standing up too early on a plane, are not subject to fines. It is essential to clarify the specific context to understand the nature of any potential amendments concerning "dropping" within the Kazakh criminal legal system.
The amendments to Kazakhstan's Criminal, Criminal Procedure, and Criminal Executive Codes have introduces a new article (232-1) that penalizes individuals for engaging in "dropping" activities, which involve illegal transactions in finance and business. The new law stipulates that illegally providing access to a bank account or executing payments and transfers on behalf of a third party could result in prison terms of up to seven years.
%20for%20those%20who%20distribute%20or%20share%20unauthorized%20material%20or%20goods.){kind=link}