Some problems of objective and subjective signs of fraud using electronic means of payment: theory and judicial practice

Relevance. Despite the existence of Russian legislation aimed at protecting electronic means of payment from fraudulent actions, the wording of key logical and linguistic aspects in this area is not always precise and clear. This creates an urgent need for a clear and unambiguous interpretation of the main provisions defining the objective and subjective characteristics of fraudulent actions using electronic payment instruments, as defined in Article 159.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Purpose: to identify the most complex issues that arise when determining the elements of a crime under Article 159.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, in order to ensure the lawful classification of acts under this provision and to distinguish it from related crimes.

Objectives: to study legislation and case law to determine existing legal formulations describing the signs of fraudulent actions using electronic payment systems and to propose legal options for their interpretation.

Methodology. In studying the research problem, general and specific methods of cognition were used: dialectical, theoretical and empirical, logical, system-structural, statistical methods and content analysis of documents.

Results. The article examines legislative, judicial decisions and theoretical works concerning the formulation and interpretation of logical and linguistic phenomena included in the objective and subjective signs of fraudulent actions using electronic payment instruments. Definitions are formulated that most adequately reflect the generally accepted nature of their application in the legal assessment of acts under Article 159.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Conclusions. Certain problematic aspects concerning the conceptual apparatus of the elements of a crime described in Article 159.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation have been identified, and those that orient theory and practice toward the use of formulations found in regulatory acts and materials of judicial practice have been substantiated.

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