Fraudsters Exploit Bank Payment Request Feature in Deposit Scam Scheme

Scammers are exploiting a banking feature called "Payment Request" to conduct deposit fraud, particularly in vehicle and real estate transactions. Fraudsters pose as trustworthy parties and send payment requests that victims mistakenly believe will result in receiving deposits, when in fact the transaction withdraws money directly from the victim's account.

How the Scam Works

Fraudsters are exploiting a legitimate banking feature called "Payment Request" that banks provide to facilitate easy fund transfers. While this feature is designed to help customers request money from others, scammers have found a way to abuse it for fraudulent purposes.

The Attack Sequence

Building Trust: The scammer poses as a civil servant, a person in another city, or a reliable customer to establish credibility.
Negotiation: Through negotiation, the scammer lowers the victim's guard and makes the transaction appear legitimate.
Payment Request: The scammer says they will send a deposit but actually creates a payment request using the victim's banking information. The amount is typically substantial (40,000-50,000 Turkish Lira or more).
Fund Withdrawal: When the victim approves the request, thinking they will receive a deposit, money is instead withdrawn directly from their account to the scammer's account.

Warning Signs and Red Flags

Pressure to act quickly: Statements like "You need to approve this now," "I'm a civil servant in another city," or similar urgency tactics are warning signs
Verify payment request details: Always check both the sender and recipient information carefully. In fraudulent cases, the victim's own bank account information is entered
Missing or vague descriptions: Legitimate transactions include clear descriptions like "Deposit for Property XYZ"
Trust your doubts: If anything feels wrong, do not approve the payment
Use secure payment systems: Always use official platform payment systems for online transactions. Scammers often suggest avoiding these systems by claiming to avoid commissions
Beware of impersonation: Be cautious of anyone posing as lawyers, prosecutors, judges, or notaries. These professionals do not request approvals via phone, and any such requests should be immediately disregarded

Prevention Tips

Document your transaction purpose: Always include a clear description in the payment note, such as "Deposit for [Property/Vehicle] Address" or similar. This documentation is crucial for legal proceedings if a dispute arises
Save all communications: Store all messages, emails, screenshots, bank account numbers, and mobile banking screenshots related to the transaction
Verify identity independently: Confirm the other party's identity through official channels or phone numbers before proceeding

If You Become a Victim

Contact your bank immediately: Time is critical. If the payment request is still in provisional status, you may be able to cancel it
Document everything: Save all communications, transaction details, and screenshots
File a police report: Report the crime to law enforcement and submit a complaint to the prosecutor's office. Provide your bank with written documentation of your claim
Seek legal advice: Consult with a lawyer if necessary

Where to Report

Report this scam to your local police department or cybercrime division in your country.