Renting Messenger Accounts Threatens Russians with Criminal Liability

Deputy Nemkin: Renting out an account could result in 10 years in prison

test banner under the title image

Users have begun to massively hand over their accounts in instant messengers for money, but they could end up in jail if they become involved in criminal schemes because of this, warned State Duma deputy Anton Nemkin, commenting on the growing demand for paid transfer of personal profiles.

According to him, users are offered up to several thousand rubles a week for temporary access to their accounts, convincing them of the "harmlessness" of the deal. However, as the parliamentarian emphasized, such accounts often become a tool for criminals: they are used for phishing, promoting financial pyramids or illegal services.

The scheme usually begins with an offer of “easy money” via a message or ad. The user is then instructed to disable two-factor authentication and provide login details. Once in control, the attackers can use the accounts for cryptocurrency fraud, cyberattacks, or redirecting traffic to prohibited resources. Often, the accounts are resold on the darknet.

Nemkin called on citizens to avoid such transactions, noting that even indirect participation in illegal activities entails serious legal consequences.

“And they face very real liability – under Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, ‘Fraud,’ up to and including imprisonment for up to 10 years,” RIA Novosti quotes Nemkin as saying.