Prospects for the development of criminal legislation related to fraud in the Russian Federation

This article explores pressing issues in the enforcement of criminal law provisions related to fraud, as defined in Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The author examines 159.1 crime statistics, which reveal a steady increase in fraud cases despite an overall decline in crime nationwide. Special attention is paid to the difficulties in qualifying fraud in business- related contexts and to the legal distinction between civil and criminal liability in contractual breaches. A separate section is devoted to digital fraud, particularly offenses committed using artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies. The article highlights the current legislative gap in this area and advocates for the development of a new criminal offense tailored to the digital nature and heightened public danger of such acts. The author criticizes the excessive universalization of Article 159.6 and points out the inefficacy of specialized provisions under Articles 159–2023. The conclusion substantiates the need for a comprehensive revision of legal regulation in fraud cases, taking into account modern technological, economic, and social realities. The author proposes legislative reforms, including adjustments to damage thresholds, revision of specialized norms, and reintroduction of judicial oversight in the initiation of economic crime cases.