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A significant court ruling in Atyrau has sent a clear warning to individuals seeking quick money online. For the first time in the region, a citizen has been held criminally liable for lending their bank account to third parties in exchange for financial rewards.

The Crime of "Renting" a Bank Account

The court determined that late last year, a resident of Atyrau, identified as A.M., agreed to an offer for fast cash through messaging apps. Subsequently, A.M. granted full access to their bank account to unknown individuals. This account was then used to transfer funds obtained through criminal activities, resulting in financial losses for victims.

New Legislation and Its Significance

Atyrau City Court No. 2 found A.M. guilty and issued a conviction. According to the regional prosecutor's office, Article 232-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan came into effect on September 16, 2025. This article specifically targets illegal financial intermediation, which includes offering bank accounts, payment cards, or access to them to third parties for a fee.

Regardless of whether the individual understood the full scope of the criminal scheme or how much they profited, the mere act of providing a bank card or access to it to a third party can lead to criminal responsibility.

The prosecutor's office emphasized that any such action, including "renting" out a bank card, implicates the citizen in a crime and can result in a criminal record. Efforts to detect and prevent such activities in Atyrau are being intensified and will continue.