How to get back money sent to a scammer via EFT or FAST?

In fraud cases involving online product purchases, investment promises, fake advertisements, social media scams, impersonating police officers or prosecutors over the phone, cryptocurrency investments, or bank account hijacking, victims often send the money directly to the bank account provided by the scammer.

When someone realizes they've been scammed, their first question is usually:

"Can I get the money I sent to the scammer back from the bank?"

The answer to this question varies depending on the specifics of the case. However, especially if the bank and judicial authorities are contacted immediately after the fraud is detected, it may be possible to block the account containing the money, suspend the transaction, or confiscate the money obtained from the crime and return it to the victim.

However, it is not always possible for a FAST or EFT transaction to be unilaterally canceled by the sender. The Central Bank of Turkey (TCMB) states that, due to the principle of irrevocability, payments processed into accounts cannot be directly canceled through the payment system; in case of erroneous payments, the sender must contact their own bank.

Therefore, time is extremely important in fraud cases.

Quick Answer: How to react in the first few minutes?

If you sent money to a scammer via EFT or FAST, immediately report the transaction as fraud to your bank, open a refund request with the transaction number, and request an investigation into the recipient's account. Keep the receipt, IBAN, announcement, and conversations and report it to the Public Prosecutor's Office or law enforcement. Cancellation of a completed payment is not automatic; the measures that the bank and judicial authorities can take depend on the specific circumstances. The Central Bank of Turkey's (TCMB) statement regarding EFT/FAST payments indicates that completed payments cannot be unilaterally cancelled.

Relevant Legal Guides

For general recourse options, the procedures available to victims of fraud . Money sent directly by the victim differs from money withdrawn from their account without authorization; in the latter case, the bank's responsibility in internet banking fraud is addressed separately. Information regarding the rights of cyber fraud victims, the legal consequences of using an IBAN , are also important.

Is it possible to get back money sent to a scammer via EFT or FAST?

In most cases, it is not possible for the sender to directly cancel the EFT, wire transfer, or FAST transaction via mobile banking after it has been completed to the scammer.

In particular, FAST transactions are completed within seconds and the money is made available to the recipient.

However, this does not mean that the money can never be recovered.

The person who realizes they have been scammed should do so as soon as possible;

• They should report the fraud to their own bank
• You must provide the transaction number for the transfer
• The buyer must request a refund and unblocking of the account
• They should apply to the Public Prosecutor's Office or law enforcement units
• They must keep all receipts and evidence relating to the fraud.

It is crucial for the money to be recovered that it is still in the recipient's account or has not been transferred to other accounts.

What should be done first when fraud is detected?

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in fraud cases is waiting a few days and then only trying to contact the scammer.

Scammers are often able to quickly transfer the money sent to them to different bank accounts, payment institutions, or other financial instruments.

Therefore, as soon as fraud is noticed, the transaction should be reported by contacting the bank's customer service or fraud department first.

To the bank;

“This transaction was carried out as a result of fraud. I request that the recipient account be investigated and, if possible, that the transaction be stopped or the account be blocked.”

It is important to make a clear statement in this manner.

In addition to a phone call, a written application should also be submitted to the bank if possible.

Can a bank block a scammer's account?

A significant legal amendment in 2025 introduced a new legal mechanism for victims in this regard.

According to Article 128/A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, if there is reasonable suspicion that certain qualified fraud, qualified theft, and misuse of bank or credit cards have been committed, a bank, payment service provider, or crypto asset service provider may suspend the account used in the crime for up to 48 hours

The suspension process and account transactions are reported to the Public Prosecutor's Office by the relevant financial institution.

Furthermore, if it is determined that the money has been transferred to another financial institution, the relevant bank or institution can notify the other financial institution without delay.

This regulation is particularly important in internet and cyber fraud cases where money is transferred to multiple accounts in a short period of time.

Can fraudulent money be confiscated?

Yes.

Regarding the money involved in the crime, which is in the account suspended under Article 128/A of the Code of Criminal Procedure;

• by court order or
• in cases where delay would be detrimental, by written order of the public prosecutor

Confiscation is possible.

Any seizure carried out without a court order must be submitted to the competent judge for approval within 24 hours.

In addition, under Article 128 of the Criminal Procedure Code, if the conditions are met, bank and other financial institution accounts belonging to the suspect or defendant can be seized.

Therefore, it is important for a victim of fraud to not only seek punishment for the suspect in their criminal complaint, but also to request the identification of the accounts to which the money was sent and the consideration of measures to protect the benefit obtained from the crime.

Can the blocked funds be returned to the victim?

Yes.

According to the current amendment to Article 128/A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, if it is determined that the seized property related to the crime belongs to the victim, it is possible to return it to its owner during the investigation or prosecution phase.

This provision is particularly important in cases where the connection between the source of the money sent to the bank account and the victim can be clearly established.

For example;

If the bank statement clearly shows that 300,000 TL was transferred from the victim's account to the IBAN provided by the scammer, and if that amount is still in the account, it may be easier to determine that the money belongs to the victim during the investigation.

However, the collection process can become more complicated if the money has been transferred to other accounts, withdrawn in cash, or removed from the system through other methods.

What happens if the money is transferred to another account?

One common method in fraud cases is transferring money to a second, third, or more accounts immediately after it arrives at the first account.

These accounts are sometimes referred to in practice "intermediate accounts," "money transfer accounts," or "accounts using IBANs .

Article 128/A of the Code of Criminal Procedure allows for this information to be shared with the relevant financial institution if it is determined that the interest subject to the crime has been transferred to another financial institution before the suspension process is completed.

Therefore, it is important to investigate not only the initial IBAN but also the subsequent movements of the money through bank records.

The prosecutor's office examined the bank account transactions and determined that the money;

• which account it went to,
• from which account was the transfer made to which account?
• whether cash was withdrawn or not,
• whether it was transferred to other people

It can be detected.

What happens if the scammer's IBAN belongs to someone else?

In fraud cases, it is common for the bank account to which the money is sent not to belong directly to the person committing the fraud.

Some people allow third parties to use their bank accounts or IBAN information.

With the amendment made to Article 158 of the Turkish Penal Code in 2026, a separate regulation was made regarding the disclosure of information enabling the use of bank or payment accounts to another person within the scope of complicity in the crime of fraud.

Because;

"The account is mine, but I didn't commit the fraud."

A defense alone does not eliminate the legal and criminal consequences of the incident.

Whether the account holder was aware of the fraud, the purpose for which they allowed their account to be used, what they did with the money after it arrived, and their connection to the incident are all examined as part of the investigation.

How to File a Criminal Complaint with the Prosecutor's Office for Fraud?

Individuals who have been victims of fraud can file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office or law enforcement agencies.

As much evidence as possible should be presented during the application process.

Especially;

• bank statements,
• IBAN information,
• account holder's name,
• phone numbers,
• WhatsApp conversations,
• SMS records,
• social media conversations,
• advertisement images,
• website addresses,
• emails,
• screenshots,
• cryptocurrency transfer information,
• usernames used by the scammer

must be submitted to the file.

A criminal complaint may request not only the punishment of the individual but also , if possible , an investigation into bank account transactions and the implementation of necessary protective measures for accounts containing funds obtained through crime

What crime does internet fraud constitute?

The crime of fraud is regulated in Article 157 of the Turkish Penal Code No. 5237.

Fraud committed by using information systems or banks and credit institutions as tools aggravated fraud .

For example;

• fake shopping site,
• social media advertisement,
• fake investment platform,
• fake car or house advertisements online,
• Various fraud methods carried out using bank accounts

Depending on the specifics of the incident, it could be considered aggravated fraud.

The legal nature of the crime must be determined separately for each case, according to the manner in which it was committed.

Does submitting a refund request to the bank necessarily mean the money will be returned?

No.

Applying for a refund to the bank does not automatically mean the amount sent will be returned to your account.

According to the irreversibility principle announced by the Central Bank of Turkey (TCMB), a payment processed into an account cannot be unilaterally canceled through the system. In case of an erroneous payment, the sender must contact their own bank.

The actions a bank can take upon receiving a fraud report depend on the specifics of the case and whether the conditions stipulated in current legislation are met.

Therefore, the expectation that "I called the bank, my money will definitely be returned" is not accurate.

It would be more appropriate to pursue both the bank application and the legal application together and quickly

Is the bank liable for damages in every case of fraud?

No.

If money is lost due to fraud, the bank does not automatically become liable for the victim's losses.

For example, if a person voluntarily sent money to an IBAN provided by a scammer by logging into their mobile banking system and approving the transaction themselves, the bank's liability should be evaluated separately.

Conversely, the legal assessment may differ if the victim's account was accessed without authorization, a problem arose regarding the adequacy of the bank's security systems, or the payment transaction was carried out without the victim's knowledge and consent.

Law No. 6493 unauthorized payment transactions . However, a person's own approval of a transaction due to being deceived by a scammer is not the same legal situation as money being sent from their account without their knowledge.

Therefore, the bank's liability must be assessed separately in each case according to the circumstances of the event.

What happens if you send money to a scammer by taking out a loan?

One of the fraud methods involves persuading the victim to take out a loan, and then transferring the borrowed amount to the fraudster's account.

In this situation, two separate legal relationships arise:

The first is the relationship between the victim and the fraudster, and the second is the credit relationship between the victim and the bank.

The fact that fraud has occurred does not automatically cancel the loan taken from the bank.

However, depending on how the incident occurred, the credit transaction and bank security processes may need to be examined further.

Different legal outcomes may arise, particularly in cases where the victim's account has been compromised, transactions have been made without their knowledge, or the bank's security obligations regarding unusual transactions are questionable.

Can a compensation lawsuit be filed for money sent to a scammer?

Apart from a criminal investigation, it is also possible to claim compensation for damages incurred due to fraud through legal means.

However, which person to sue and on what legal grounds to file a lawsuit must be determined on a case-by-case basis.

For example, the role of the account holder in the fraud, whether they knowingly allowed their account to be used, and whether they kept the money should be investigated.

If the fraud network consists of more than one person, the responsibility of each individual is assessed separately.

Therefore, knowing only the IBAN holder is not sufficient to determine the scope of legal responsibility in every case.

How quickly should you act in cases of fraud?

Immediately, if possible.

Especially with the FAST system, where money reaches the recipient's account within seconds, it's crucial to act as soon as fraud is detected.

Furthermore, the fact that the bank can suspend the account for up to 48 hours under certain circumstances within the scope of Article 128/A of the Criminal Procedure Code further increases the importance of notification in the initial hours.

Therefore, instead of waiting and saying "I'll go to the bank tomorrow" or "I'll try to get the money back from the scammer first," it is necessary to contact the bank and the legal authorities as quickly as possible.

What documents should a victim of fraud keep?

No correspondence or documents should be deleted when fraud occurs.

It is especially important to keep the following documents safe:

• EFT, wire transfer or FAST receipt,
• IBAN to which the money was sent,
• account holder's name,
• transaction reference number,
• phone number,
• WhatsApp and Telegram conversations,
• SMS messages,
• email correspondence,
• social media account,
• advertisement screenshots,
• website address,
• If audio recordings exist, the legality of these recordings will be further assessed using the recording information
• cryptocurrency wallet addresses,
• Payment institution transaction records.

Taking screenshots early is important because the scammer may delete the social media account or advertisement later.

Conclusion: Can Money Sent to a Scammer Be Recovered?

Money sent to a scammer via EFT, wire transfer, or FAST may be recovered , but this is not guaranteed

Once a money transfer is complete, the transaction cannot usually be canceled at the sender's unilateral request. However, if fraud is detected and the bank is contacted immediately, the account can be quickly identified, and legal proceedings can be initiated, making it possible to intervene in the account where the money is located.

Specifically, Article 128/A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which came into effect on December 25, 2025 , allows banks, payment service providers, or cryptocurrency service providers to suspend accounts for up to 48 hours in certain cybercrimes and fraud cases

Furthermore, if the money seized in connection with the crime is found to belong to the victim, it is possible to return it to the victim during the investigation or prosecution phase.

Therefore, the victim of fraud;

It is extremely important that the individual immediately notifies the bank, preserves any statements and correspondence, contacts the Public Prosecutor's Office or law enforcement, and requests an investigation into the financial transactions

In fraud cases, the first few hours can be critical for tracking and protecting the money sent.

Frequently Asked Questions

I sent money to a scammer via FAST, can I cancel the transaction?

Since FAST transactions are completed within seconds, it is generally not possible for the sender to unilaterally cancel the transaction after it has been completed. However, if fraud is detected, the bank should be contacted immediately to report the fraud and request a refund.

Can a bank block a scammer's account?

In cases where the crimes specified in Article 128/A of the Code of Criminal Procedure are committed and reasonable suspicion exists, the bank or relevant payment institution may suspend the account used in the crime for up to 48 hours.

Can the prosecutor's office freeze the fraudster's bank account?

If the legal conditions are met, seizure measures may be applied to the money or specific assets that are the subject of the crime.

Can the money in the scammer's account be returned to me?

If it is determined that the seized money belongs to the victim of the crime, it can be returned to its owner during the investigation or prosecution phase, in accordance with Article 128/A of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

If I sent the money voluntarily, would it still be considered fraud?

It's possible. In fraud cases, the victim often sends the money themselves due to the perpetrator's deceptive behavior. The fact that the transaction was carried out by the person themselves does not, in itself, negate the crime of fraud.

What happens if the IBAN I'm sending money to belongs to someone else?

The account holder's connection to the incident will be investigated. The investigation will determine who used the account, where the money was transferred, and whether the account holder had any knowledge or intent to participate in the proceedings.

Should I report the fraud to the bank or to the prosecutor's office?

It is important to file both applications as quickly as possible. Notifying the bank is important in terms of financial transactions, while filing a complaint with the prosecutor's office or law enforcement is important in terms of criminal investigation and protective measures.

If the scammer has withdrawn the money from the account, is there no chance of getting it back?

No. While the fact that the money was withdrawn from the initial account or transferred to other accounts may make collection more difficult, the criminal investigation, the investigation of financial transactions, and other legal avenues can continue.