Running Points ≠ Money Laundering? Understand the Difference in One Article!

📋 Key Content Summary
💡 What is "Running Points"?
Essential Definition: Using personal bank cards or payment codes to help criminals transfer illicit funds, disguising them as legitimate transactions
Role Positioning: A tool in money laundering activities
Key Difference: Running points is one method of money laundering, but its legal definition is not entirely equivalent to the crime of money laundering

⚖️ Legal Consequences (Two Major Charges)
1. Concealment/Assistance Crime
Basic Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment or detention
Aggravating Circumstances: Transaction volume over 100,000 yuan → 3-10 years imprisonment

2. Money Laundering Crime
100% confiscation of illegal proceeds
Penalty: Up to 5 years imprisonment + 5%-20% fine of laundered amount
Serious Circumstances: Up to 10 years imprisonment

🔍 Concept Analysis
Running Points vs. Money Laundering

Running points is a typical method of money laundering
Money laundering behavior does not always constitute the crime of money laundering
Running points involves passively providing accounts, while money laundering emphasizes actively concealing origins
But the legal risks are equally serious

Money Laundering Crime vs. Assistance Crime

Money Laundering Crime: Targets the handling of illicit funds from 6 upstream crimes (drugs, organized crime, terrorism, smuggling, embezzlement, financial fraud)

Assistance Crime: Providing payment accounts for cybercrimes (such as fraud), without needing to know the specific type of crime

🚨 Risk Reminder
Zero Tolerance Principle: Whether or not you profit, participation alone constitutes a crime
Presumed Knowledge: In practice, often presumed to “know the funds are illegal”

Protective Measures: ❌ Do not rent/sell your bank cards
❌ Do not help others transfer or withdraw funds
⚠️ Beware of "easy money" traps