Scammers are increasingly using fake screenshots of transfers, winnings, and bonuses to trick victims into handing over goods or sending them real money. A screenshot from a banking app can look convincing: the specified amount, a familiar logo, and a "transfer completed" status. But an image on the screen does not yet mean that the money has actually arrived.
Mechanics of the scam: from a screenshot to a real transfer
Scenario №1
"You've won a prize": The person is informed about a large prize, bonus, or payout and receives a screenshot of an alleged bank transfer. No money appears in the victim’s account.
"You need to pay a fee": Scammers explain the absence of funds in the victim's account as a technical issue: for example, to receive AMD 100,000, they must first pay AMD 20,000 - 30,000 as a "commission," "tax," or make a "counter-transfer" for verification.
Scenario №2
"I have already paid for the item": This scenario is particularly dangerous for sellers on classified platforms and social media. The "buyer" shows a screenshot of a successful transfer and asks to send them the product immediately. In reality, no payment was made.
Important Note
In international transfers, a fee can indeed sometimes be charged to the recipient, but it will be deducted directly from the transfer amount, rather than sent to a stranger as a separate payment.
Legal Trap
If a person independently sends a "commission" or a "verification payment" to scammers, the bank views it as a regular transfer made and confirmed by the account holder. Recovering such funds can be extremely difficult.
The same applies to a seller who trusted the screenshot and voluntarily released the goods. The scam is usually discovered only after the "buyer" disappears.
IDBank recommends
Check only your own account. Do not trust other people's screenshots, receipts, or transfer notifications. Money is considered received only when you see it reflected in your account.
Never pay to receive a transfer. A requirement to send a "commission," " insurance payment," or "verification amount" to a stranger is a clear sign of fraud.
Do not hand over the product before the funds are actually credited to your account. This applies especially when selling through List.am, Telegram, Facebook Marketplace, and other platforms.
Do not fall for promises of substantial financial gain. The larger the "winnings" or "bonus," the easier it is for scammers to convince the victim to risk a relatively small amount to claim it.
If you have already sent money to scammers, contact your bank immediately and save all correspondence, screenshots, and recipient details.
Remember: A screenshot displaying “Payment Completed” is worth nothing on its own. Real money transfers are confirmed not by a screenshot, but by the actual crediting of funds to your account.
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