Financial security in the context of the digital transformation of crime: challenges and systemic protection mechanisms
Journal: BULLETIN OF THE KALININGRAD BRANCH OF THE SAINT-PETERSBURG UNIVERSITY OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF RUSSIA
№ 4
, 2025
Rubrics: CURRENT PROBLEMS OF CRIMINOLOGY
Authors:
1.
Kaliningrad branch of Saint Petersburg University of the MIA of Russia
(Department of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penal Enforcement Law, Professor)
Kaliningrad, Kalinigrad, Russian Federation
Kaliningrad, Kalinigrad, Russian Federation
Type:
Article
Pages:
from 9
to 17
Status:
Published
Received:
03.10.2025
Accepted:
11.10.2025
Published:
22.12.2025
Language:
Russian
Keywords:
Corporate droppery, financial fraud, fast payment system, QR acquiring, counteraction.
Abstract (English):
Introduction. The accelerated digital transformation of Russia's financial sector is stimulating the emergence of new methods of committing crimes that threaten the economic security of the state. The study, the results of which are presented in this article, focused on the phenomenon of modern droppering (the use of third-party accounts and payment instruments to launder criminal proceeds through the fast payment system and QR acquiring). The evolution of droppering demonstrates a shift from interactions with individuals to the involvement of legal entities formally engaged in retail trade, which has significantly increased transaction volumes and extended the life cycle of fraudulent schemes. Methods. The study utilized an integrative interdisciplinary approach, involving a systems method, institutional, sociological, scenario, and predictive data analysis, and a content analysis of judicial practice. Results. Recently, the nature of dropshipping has undergone a radical transformation: it has evolved into a corporate, high-tech fraudulent practice using QR acquiring and masquerading as a legitimate business. Its key characteristics – scalability, sustainability, and legitimacy – are creating a new criminal reality. Today, society is confronted with the virtualization of criminal space and administrative mimicry, which ensures the high profitability of dropshipping and its resilience to traditional countermeasures. Current legislation requires thorough reform, and the system of protection against criminal attacks must be adapted to the impact of new digital challenges. There is reason to predict a further increase in the sophistication of high-tech fraud methods, which requires the development and implementation of proactive strategies to combat this type of crime and international cooperation in this area to ensure the security of the digital economy.
Introduction. The accelerated digital transformation of Russia's financial sector is stimulating the emergence of new methods of committing crimes that threaten the economic security of the state. The study, the results of which are presented in this article, focused on the phenomenon of modern droppering (the use of third-party accounts and payment instruments to launder criminal proceeds through the fast payment system and QR acquiring). The evolution of droppering demonstrates a shift from interactions with individuals to the involvement of legal entities formally engaged in retail trade, which has significantly increased transaction volumes and extended the life cycle of fraudulent schemes. Methods. The study utilized an integrative interdisciplinary approach, involving a systems method, institutional, sociological, scenario, and predictive data analysis, and a content analysis of judicial practice. Results. Recently, the nature of dropshipping has undergone a radical transformation: it has evolved into a corporate, high-tech fraudulent practice using QR acquiring and masquerading as a legitimate business. Its key characteristics – scalability, sustainability, and legitimacy – are creating a new criminal reality. Today, society is confronted with the virtualization of criminal space and administrative mimicry, which ensures the high profitability of dropshipping and its resilience to traditional countermeasures. Current legislation requires thorough reform, and the system of protection against criminal attacks must be adapted to the impact of new digital challenges. There is reason to predict a further increase in the sophistication of high-tech fraud methods, which requires the development and implementation of proactive strategies to combat this type of crime and international cooperation in this area to ensure the security of the digital economy.
Keywords:
Corporate droppery, financial fraud, fast payment system, QR acquiring, counteraction.
Corporate droppery, financial fraud, fast payment system, QR acquiring, counteraction.
