Criminal liability for money mules and 72 hours for warrantless searches: what the Rada passed

The money mule law passed in full

On 28 October the Verkhovna Rada adopted Law No. 16013 in second reading and as a whole, toughening liability for financial fraud. 270 MPs voted in favour. The law introduces criminal liability for handing over, receiving, buying or storing means of access to bank accounts, e-wallets and so-called “drop accounts” used in criminal schemes. In Ukraine “drops” are money mules: people whose cards and accounts are used to move stolen money.

According to parliament, the document implements EU Directive 2019/713 on combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment. In September President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted two bills to the Rada, on fraudulent call centres and on illegal operations with accounts and payment instruments.

The penalties

The law amends Article 200 of the Criminal Code. Forging or falsifying payment instructions, means of access to accounts, wallets and credentials, as well as initiating payments based on them, will be punishable by a fine of 3,000 to 7,000 tax-free minimum incomes or two to four years in prison.

Misappropriating, stealing or obtaining payment instruments by deception, as well as illegally accessing someone else’s account or e-wallet, will carry a fine of 4,000 to 8,000 tax-free minimums or restriction or deprivation of liberty for three to five years. The same acts committed repeatedly or by a group in prior conspiracy will carry a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 minimums or four to six years in prison.

Liability for the mules themselves

A new provision targets people who hand over their own cards or account access. Passing payment instruments, credentials or account access to others for fraud or other crimes will be punishable by a fine of 300 to 1,000 tax-free minimums, which LIGA.net calculates at UAH 5,100 to 17,000.

Receiving, buying, storing or selling other people’s payment instruments or credentials for fraud will carry a fine of 3,000 to 5,000 minimums (UAH 51,000–85,000), restriction of liberty for up to three years or two to four years in prison. If done repeatedly or by an organised group, the penalty rises to a fine of 5,000–10,000 minimums (UAH 85,000–170,000) or four to six years in prison.

Serhiy Ionushas, head of the law enforcement committee, stressed that criminal liability will apply only when a card or other instrument was handed over for the purpose of fraud. The committee also accepted a proposal to release from liability a person who commits such an offence for the first time, voluntarily reports it and actively assists the investigation.

Warrantless searches limited to 72 hours

The same day the Rada backed in first reading bill No. 15488-3 on urgent searches, with 265 votes. It sets rules for searches carried out by law enforcement without prior court approval. Investigators will have 72 hours to go to court and prove their actions were lawful. If the court refuses, seized items will be returned to the owner, and that decision can be appealed.

The bill aims to strengthen constitutional guarantees of the inviolability of the home and to align the Criminal Procedure Code with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, which treats home searches and seizure of devices as a serious interference with the right to private life under Article 8 of the Convention. It also changes how information is entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations and lets interested persons take part in court hearings on urgent search requests.

What comes next

The money mule law will take effect after the president signs it and it is officially published. The search bill still needs a second reading. On the same day the Rada also approved the draft 2027 state budget in first reading.