Stricter sanctions for fraud, counterfeiting of non-cash payment instruments in Moldova

Chisinau, November 4, 2026 – The parliament will examine a draft law aimed at combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash payment instruments. The legal parliamentary commission for appointments and immunities has approved the report on a legislative initiative prepared on this purpose. The draft law aims to align the national regulatory framework with European standards.

The authors propose amending and supplementing the Criminal Code, in order to strengthen criminal-law protection against the illegal manufacture and generation of non-cash payment instruments, both tangible instruments (bank cards, USB devices, mobile phones or smartwatches configured for contactless payments) and intangible instruments (digital cards, QR codes and digital tokens).

The draft law also provides for stricter sanctions for these offences. Thus, the illegal manufacture or generation, circulation or fraudulent use of fake or counterfeit non-cash payment instruments would be punishable, in the case of individuals, by a fine of up to 62,500 lei, up to 240 hours of unpaid community service or imprisonment for up to five years. In the case of legal entities, the fine would be up to 250,000 lei, along with disqualification from carrying out a particular activity. The draft law also provides for separate sanctions for such acts as receiving or purchasing, transferring, importing, selling or distributing illegally generated, counterfeit or falsified non-cash payment instruments. The theft of a non-cash payment instrument would also be sanctioned separately, even if it was not subsequently used.

The Criminal Code would also be supplemented with an article providing for sanctions for producing, procuring or making available devices, computer data or other means meant or adapted to commit certain offences involving non-cash payment instruments. For individuals, the proposed sanctions are a fine of up to 67,500 lei or imprisonment for up to five years. In the case of legal entities, the fine would be up to 350,000 lei, along with disqualification from carrying out a particular activity.

At the same time, during the investigation of these offences, special investigative measures may be applied, such as monitoring financial transactions and controlled purchases.

The draft law aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework for combating fraud and counterfeiting involving non-cash payment instruments was prepared by the Justice Ministry and will be submitted to parliament for consideration in the first reading. Following its adoption, the new legislative provisions will enter into force three months after publication in the Official Journal.

The Communication and Public Relations Directorate of Moldova’s Parliament