How to Detect and Prevent Fake Payment Order Scams (Phishing via Postal Mail)

In 2023, fake payment order scams surged by 63%, exploiting the perceived trustworthiness of physical mail. Attackers send fraudulent invoices with small amounts and convincing details, tricking victims into transferring money to accounts controlled by criminals.

How the Scam Works

1. Fraudulent Invoices: Scammers send fake bills via postal mail with a French IBAN (often from Nickel accounts opened with fake IDs).
2. Psychological Manipulation: Small amounts and urgency pressure victims into quick payments.
3. Cash Withdrawal: Once funds accumulate, scammers withdraw cash, making tracing difficult.

You Should Know: How to Verify & Protect Against Fake Payment Scams

1. Verify the IBAN

Use Linux command-line tools to validate bank details:

 Check IBAN validity using Python (install `schwifty` if needed) 
pip install schwifty 
python3 -c "from schwifty import IBAN; print(IBAN('FR7630001007941234567890185').validate())" 

2. Cross-Check Sender Details

• WHOIS Lookup (if a domain is provided):

  whois example.com 
  

• Check Company Registration (France):

  curl -s "https://api.insee.fr/entreprises/sirene/V3/siret?q=entreprise:Apple" -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN" 
  

3. Detect Fake Accounts

• Track IP Geolocation (if an email is involved):

  curl ipinfo.io/<IP_ADDRESS> 
  

4. Secure Your Mail

• Use PGP for Invoices:

  gpg --encrypt --recipient [email protected] invoice.pdf 
  

5. Monitor Suspicious Transactions

• Analyze Bank Logs (Linux):

  grep "PAYMENT_FAILED" /var/log/bank_transactions.log 
  

What Undercode Say

Fake payment scams thrive on human trust in physical documents. Always:
– Verify IBANs before transfers.
– Train employees to recognize postal fraud.
– Automate validations using scripts (e.g., IBAN checks).
– Report scams to authorities (e.g., ANSSI).

Expected Output

A secure payment workflow with:

• Automated IBAN validation.
• Multi-person approval for wire transfers.
• Regular fraud awareness training.

Prediction

Postal-based scams will decline as AI-driven fraud detection improves, but attackers will shift to deepfake voice scams in corporate settings. Stay vigilant!

(No Telegram/WhatsApp links included as requested.)

References:

Reported By: Antoine Vermande – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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