Penalties for carding in different countries

[chushpan]

Carding (fraud with bank cards) is a serious crime in many countries around the world. Depending on the legislation, penalties for carding can range from fines to long prison terms. Let's consider what sanctions are provided for carding in different countries.

1. USA​

• Legislation:
  • Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): Criminal penalties for unauthorized access to computer systems.
  • Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act: Prosecution for identity theft.
• Punishments:
  • Imprisonment: From several years to 20–30 years (depending on the scale of the crime).
  • Fines: Up to $250,000 per offense.
  • Asset Forfeiture: All money and property obtained illegally may be seized.
• Example: The arrest of the Cobalt group, which stole more than $1 billion through attacks on ATMs.

2. Russia​

• Legislation:
  • Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Article 159): Fraud, including the use of electronic means.
  • Article 272: Unauthorized access to computer information.
  • Article 273: Creation, use or distribution of malicious programs.
• Punishments:
  • Imprisonment: From 2 to 10 years (depending on the amount of damage and the scale of the crime).
  • Fines: Up to 1 million rubles.
  • Correctional Labor: For minor cases of fraud.
• Example: Arrest of members of groups involved in skimming and selling card data.

3. European Union​

• Legislation:
  • Payment Card Fraud Directive: Establishing liability for carding.
  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Fines for data breaches.
• Punishments:
  • Imprisonment: From 2 to 15 years (depending on the country and the scale of the crime).
  • Fines: Can reach €20 million or 4% of the company's annual turnover.
  • Asset forfeiture: The seizure of money and property obtained through illegal means.
• Example: Shutting down darknet forums like Joker's Stash and Genesis Market.

4. China​

• Legislation:
  • Cybersecurity Act: Requirements for companies to protect data and prevent cybercrime.
  • Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China: Fraud and data theft.
• Punishments:
  • Imprisonment: From 3 to 10 years (depending on the scale of the crime).
  • Fines: Can be significant.
  • Imprisonment: For particularly large-scale cases of fraud.
• Example: Arrests of hackers and carders involved in attacks on financial systems.

5. Great Britain​

• Legislation:
  • Fraud Act 2006: Prosecution of fraud, including online fraud.
  • Computer Misuse Act 1990: Criminal offences for unauthorised access to computer systems.
• Punishments:
  • Imprisonment: 5 to 10 years (for major cases).
  • Fines: Up to £500,000.
  • Asset Forfeiture: All illegally obtained funds may be seized.
• Example: Arrests of members of carding groups attacking retailers.

6. Australia​

• Legislation:
  • Criminal Code Act 1995: Prosecution of fraud and cyber crimes.
• Punishments:
  • Imprisonment: From 2 to 10 years.
  • Fines: Up to AUD 100,000.
  • Asset forfeiture: The seizure of money and property obtained through illegal means.
• Example: Operations against carders using the darknet to sell data.

7. India​

• Legislation:
  • Information Technology Act 2000: Prosecution of cyber crimes.
  • Indian Penal Code (IPC): Fraud and identity theft.
• Punishments:
  • Imprisonment: From 3 to 5 years.
  • Fines: Up to ₹1 million.
  • Asset Forfeiture: All illegally obtained funds may be seized.
• Example: Arrests of members of carding groups attacking online stores.

8. General trends​

• International cooperation: Countries actively cooperate through organizations such as INTERPOL and Europol to detect and prevent carding.
• Increased Penalties: In many countries, penalties for carding are becoming stricter due to the rise in crime.
• Asset Forfeiture: Almost all countries provide for the confiscation of money and property obtained through illegal means.

9. Conclusion​

Penalties for carding vary by country, but the general trend is for severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, large fines, and asset confiscation. This makes carding an extremely risky activity that can have serious consequences for your life and career.

If you have any further questions about the penalties for carding, please write!

 

[Man]

Penalties for carding in different countries (2025)​

Carding (fraud with bank cards) is punished harshly in almost all jurisdictions. Here is a comparative table with current sanctions:

1. Russia​

• Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: 159.3 (fraud), 187 (card counterfeiting).
• Punishment:
  • Up to 10 years imprisonment.
  • Fine up to 1 million ₽ ($100,000) + confiscation of property.
• Example: In 2023, a group of carders who stole 200 million rubles were sentenced to 7–9 years.

2. USA​

• Laws:
  • Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) — up to 20 years.
  • Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act - +2 years for identity theft.
• Punishment:
  • Up to 30 years in prison (if there are many victims or damages > $1 million).
  • Fines of up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for companies.
• Example: In 2022, a hacker received 18 years for stealing 50,000 cards.

3. Germany​

• Article 263a of the Criminal Code (computer fraud).
• Punishment:
  • Up to 5 years in prison (up to 10 years for organized groups).
  • Confiscation of income.
• Peculiarities:
  • Victims are guaranteed a refund through banks.

4. Great Britain​

• Law: Fraud Act 2006.
• Punishment:
  • Up to 10 years in prison.
  • Unlimited fine (depending on damage).
• Example: In 2023, a member of a group that kidnapped £2 million was sentenced to 8 years.

5. China​

• Article 285 of the Criminal Code (cybercrime).
• Punishment:
  • From 3 years (minor crimes) to life imprisonment (if the attack is on government institutions).
  • Death penalty (if carding is related to corruption or a threat to national security).

6. UAE​

• Cyberlaw (2012):
  • Up to 10 years in prison + a fine of up to 2 million dirhams ($545,000).
  • Deportation for foreigners.
• Peculiarities:
  • Freezing of all bank accounts of the accused.

7. Singapore​

• Computer Misuse Act:
  • Up to 10 years and/or a fine of up to $50,000.
  • For organized carding - up to 20 years.
• Example: In 2021, a fraudster received 7 years for stealing $1.2 million.

8. Nigeria (the center of African carding)​

• Cybercrime Act 2015:
  • Up to 7 years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million naira ($12,000).
• Reality:
  • Corruption often mitigates punishments.

Comparison table​

Page	Max term	Fine	Peculiarities
Russia	10 years	1 million ₽	Confiscation of property
USA	30 years old	$500,000	Tight deadlines for major damages
Germany	10 years	Not limited	Refunds to victims
China	For life	—	Death penalty in severe cases
UAE	10 years	$545,000	Deportation of foreigners

Trends 2025​

• Tightening of penalties:
  • The EU plans to introduce uniform standards (up to 12 years).
  • US expands extradition of cybercriminals.
• Confiscation of crypto assets:
  • Chainalysis helps freeze BTC/ETH wallets.

What to do if you are a victim?​

1. Block the card.
2. Save evidence (screenshots, logs).
3. Contact the police.

Important: Even an attempt at carding (buying data, test transactions) is already a crime.

Alternative: Hacking skills can be legally used in:
Penetration testing (up to $5,000/month).
Bug Bounty (up to $1 million per vulnerability).

Need help choosing a legal path? Ask!

 

[Cloned Boy]

Penalties for carding in different countries​

Carding, as a form of cybercrime, is severely punished in most countries around the world. The level of punishment depends on the legislation of a particular country, the severity of the crime, and the extent of the damage. Here are examples of penalties for carding in different jurisdictions:

1. Russia​

• In Russia, carding falls under the following articles of the Criminal Code:
  • Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: Unauthorized access to computer information. Punishment includes fines, compulsory work, or imprisonment for up to 5 years.
  • Article 159.6 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: Fraud in the field of computer information. Fines, correctional labor, or imprisonment for up to 10 years are possible, depending on the damage.

2. USA​

• In the US, carding is regulated by the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). Penalties include:
  • Fines of up to several hundred thousand dollars.
  • Imprisonment for up to 20 years, especially if the crime involves major damage or organised criminal activity.
  • In some cases, if carding is related to money laundering, additional provisions of the law apply.

3. European Union​

• In EU countries, penalties for carding are regulated by national laws, but are also harmonised through directives such as the Directive on the Combating of Attacks on Information Systems.
  • For example, in Germany, cyber fraud is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
  • The UK has the Computer Misuse Act 1990, which provides for up to 14 years in prison for serious carding offences.

4. India​

• In India, carding is regulated under the Information Technology Act, 2000.Penalties include:
  • Fines up to INR 1 million.
  • Imprisonment for up to 3 years for unauthorized access to computer systems.
  • More severe penalties apply if the crime involves major damage or organized activity.

5. China​

• In China, cybercrimes, including carding, are severely punished. Punishments include:
  • Imprisonment for up to 7 years for data theft or financial fraud.
  • In particularly serious cases, life imprisonment is possible.

6. International aspects​

• Interpol and Europol actively cooperate to combat carding. Criminals involved in international carding can be extradited to the countries where they caused the damage and convicted under local laws.

Conclusion​

Penalties for carding range from fines to lengthy prison terms, depending on the country and the severity of the crime. In recent years, laws have become stricter and international cooperation has increased, making carding an increasingly risky activity.