Russia's Anti-Fraud 2.0 bill advances with stricter cybercrime protections

A new anti-fraud bill, known as Anti-Fraud 2.0, has moved forward in Russia after passing its first reading in the State Duma. The legislation aims to tighten protections against cyberfraud by setting strict rules for banks and telecom operators. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko first announced the initiative at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2026.

The bill introduces a range of measures to combat financial scams. These include mandatory labelling of incoming international calls and stricter tracking of payment card transactions. A key feature is a clear procedure for banks and telecom firms to detect and block fraudulent transactions.

Under the new rules, victims of fraud can claim compensation from their bank or operator if the institution fails to meet prevention requirements. The payout will equal the full amount lost to scammers. However, users will not receive compensation if they transfer money to fraudsters despite the organisation following all protocols. The proposal was submitted to the State Duma in early 2026 and has since gained traction. News of its progress was reported by Khabarovsk Territory Today, referencing an article in Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

The Anti-Fraud 2.0 bill sets out specific systems and criteria that financial and telecom companies must adopt to prevent fraud. While it offers victims a way to recover lost funds, responsibility still partly lies with users. The legislation now awaits further approval before becoming law.