Chernyshev & Chernyshev
CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Sold Your Bank Card in Russia?
Criminal Charges Under Article 187

Last updated: March 2026
If you are a foreign national in Russia — whether as a tourist, student, or here for work — you may be approached by someone offering to buy your bank card. It may seem like easy money. But since July 2025, selling your bank card in Russia is a criminal offence under Article 187(3) of the Russian Criminal Code, punishable by up to three years in prison.

This page explains the law, the penalties, and what you should do if you have already sold your bank card and are facing criminal investigation. If you need immediate help, contact our English-speaking or Chinese-speaking criminal defence lawyers in Moscow.
What Does the Law Say?
Parts 3 to 6 of Article 187 of the Russian Criminal Code were introduced by Federal Law No. 176-FZ of 24 June 2025 and came into effect in July 2025. Under Article 187(3), transferring your bank card or access to your bank account to another person for the purpose of unlawful financial operations is a criminal offence.

The penalty under Article 187(3) ranges from a fine of 100,000 roubles to three years in prison. The exact sentence depends on the circumstances of your case, the amount of money involved, and whether you cooperate with the investigation.

Importantly, Note 4 of Article 187 provides a legal basis for first-time offenders to be exempted from criminal liability entirely — but only if specific conditions are met. This is not automatic. It requires strategic legal action with an experienced defence lawyer.
What to Do If You Sold Your Bank Card in Russia
If you have already sold your bank card and expect to be — or have been — contacted by the police, these are the steps you should take.

Step 1. Contact a criminal defence lawyer immediately

Do not go to the police alone. A lawyer will assess your situation, explain your rights, and prepare you for what comes next. If you do not have a lawyer in Russia, our firm represents foreign nationals in criminal matters. Our lawyers speak English and Chinese.

Step 2. Visit the police with your lawyer and give a voluntary confession

Your lawyer will arrange a visit to the police station. You are legally entitled to an interpreter, and the investigator must provide one. At the station, you will give a voluntary confession and cooperate with the investigation. If you communicated with the buyer of your bank card via phone or messaging apps, be aware that the police may seize your phone as evidence.

Step 3. Understand the travel restrictions

If you are a student in Russia or hold a work permit, the investigator will likely impose a travel restriction order. This means you will not be able to leave Russia until the case is concluded — typically 6 to 12 months, depending on the number of people involved and the complexity of the investigation.

If you are a tourist or do not have a fixed address in Russia, you may be placed under arrest. This makes it especially important to act quickly and through a lawyer.

Step 4. Build your case for exemption from criminal liability

Under Note 4 of Article 187, a first-time offender may be exempted from criminal liability by the investigator or by the court if they:

- Actively assisted in the investigation of the crime, and
- Voluntarily identified the persons who committed other crimes using the bank card.

This is critical: exemption is at the discretion of the investigator or judge. It is their right, not their obligation. This means it is essential to present your cooperation in the strongest possible way — which requires experienced legal representation.

Step 5. Follow through to resolution

Your lawyer will represent you throughout the investigation and, if necessary, in court. The goal is either exemption from criminal liability during the investigation stage (before the case reaches court) or a favourable outcome at trial.
Can You Avoid a Criminal Record?
Yes — if you meet the conditions set out in Note 4 of Article 187. If you sold your bank card for the first time and cooperate fully with the investigation, the investigator or court may exempt you from criminal liability. This means no conviction and no criminal record.

However, this outcome is not guaranteed. The decision is discretionary. Your defence lawyer's role is to ensure that your cooperation is documented properly, presented persuasively, and that the investigator or judge has every reason to exercise that discretion in your favour.
This Law Is New — Why That Matters
Article 187 parts 3 to 6 came into force in July 2025. Court practice is still forming. Our criminal defence lawyers are actively monitoring how investigators and courts in Moscow, St Petersburg, and across Russia are applying these new provisions — including how often the Note 4 exemption is being granted and under what circumstances.

This means that the legal strategy for these cases is evolving. Working with a lawyer who is tracking current practice gives you a significant advantage over general legal advice that may already be outdated.
About Chernyshev & Chernyshev
Our practice was established in 2000 by advocate Vladimir Chernyshev, founder of the Chernyshev legal family. Over two decades, he earned the trust of his clients by fiercely defending their interests in Russian courts. His sons Ilya and Danil joined the practice after years of living and working in China, Europe and the United Kingdom, bringing firsthand knowledge of international legal affairs, fluency in English, and working proficiency in Chinese. Today Chernyshev & Chernyshev is a team of advocates dedicated to representing foreign nationals in Russia.
Contact a Criminal Defence Lawyer Now
We charge fixed fees for each stage of criminal proceedings. There are no hidden costs or hourly rates — you know the full cost of your defence before we begin.

Contact us for a consultation and we will provide a clear fee estimate based on your situation.

Our advocates are available 24/7 and represent clients in Moscow, St Petersburg, and any other Russian city.

Head of Criminal Practice
Advocate Ilya Chernyshev
Phone / WhatsApp: +7 926 720 8080
WeChat: ilyachernyshev
Email: ilya@chernyshev.law

Advocate Danil Chernyshev
Phone / WhatsApp: +7 929 113 1331
WeChat: danilchernyshev
Email: danil@chernyshev.law
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Question:
    What is the penalty for selling a bank card in Russia?
    Answer:
    Under Article 187(3) of the Russian Criminal Code, the penalty ranges from a fine of 100,000 roubles to three years in prison. The exact penalty depends on the circumstances of your case.
  • Question:
    Can I leave Russia if I am under investigation for selling my bank card?
    Answer:
    If you have a fixed address in Russia (for example, a student dormitory or rented apartment), the investigator will likely impose a travel restriction order. You will not be able to leave Russia for approximately 6 to 12 months while the investigation is ongoing. If you do not have a fixed address, you may be placed under arrest.
  • Question:
    Can I avoid a criminal record if I cooperate with the police?
    Answer:
    Note 4 of Article 187 allows first-time offenders to be exempted from criminal liability if they actively cooperate with the investigation and voluntarily identify the persons who used their bank card for criminal purposes. However, this exemption is at the discretion of the investigator or judge — it is not guaranteed.
  • Question:
    Do I need a lawyer if I want to cooperate with the police?
    Answer:
    Yes. Cooperation must be properly documented and presented. A defence lawyer ensures your rights are protected during questioning, that your voluntary confession is recorded correctly, and that your cooperation is framed in a way that maximises your chances of exemption from criminal liability.
  • Question:
    When did selling a bank card become a crime in Russia?
    Answer:
    Parts 3 to 6 of Article 187 of the Russian Criminal Code were introduced by Federal Law No. 176-FZ of 24 June 2025 and came into force in July 2025.