If you’ve been scammed sending money abroad: immediate action steps
If you have sent money to a fraudster and suspect wire fraud, the first hours are critical. The faster you act, the better the chance of recovery or at least stopping further losses. This guide explains the immediate steps to take, how to report the fraud, what the Authorised Push Payment (APP) scheme covers in the UK, and realistic timelines for recovery.
The first hour: Call your bank immediately
Do not wait. Call your bank’s fraud line right now, even if it is outside normal business hours.
What to tell your bank
- “I have sent money to a fraudulent account as the result of a scam.”
- Provide the exact amount, currency, and date and time of the transfer.
- Provide the receiving bank details (account number, sort code or SWIFT code, bank name, country).
- Explain briefly how you were deceived (e.g., “I was sent an email that looked like it came from my solicitor, asking me to send funds for a property deposit”).
- Tell the bank which payment method you used (SWIFT transfer, international bank transfer, payment app, etc.).
The bank will log this as a fraud case and may be able to place a recall request on the transaction, especially if the money has not yet cleared or left the receiving bank.
Ask your bank about APP scheme eligibility (UK only)
If you are in the UK and the fraud involved a Faster Payment or Chaps transfer (not a SWIFT or international transfer), ask your bank: “Am I eligible for reimbursement under the Authorised Push Payment scheme?”
Under the APP scheme, UK banks must reimburse victims of push payment fraud (where you authorised the payment but were deceived about who you were sending it to) in most cases. The only exceptions are if you ignored gross negligence warnings, or if you failed to use Confirmation of Payee (CoP) when it was available.
For international transfers (SWIFT, etc.), the APP scheme does not apply, and recovery is much harder.
Within 24 hours: Report to Action Fraud (UK) or equivalent authority
In the UK, report the fraud to Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting service.
- Phone: 0300 123 2040 (open 24/7, though you may wait on hold)
- Online: actionfraud.police.uk
Provide Action Fraud with:
- Full details of the scam (how you were contacted, what you were told)
- Copies of all emails, messages, or documents the fraudster sent you
- The fraudster’s contact details (email address, phone number, website)
- The receiving bank account details
- Screenshots of any fake website or communication
Action Fraud will issue you a crime reference number. Keep this number safe — you may need it for insurance claims or further investigations.
Outside the UK? Report to your local equivalent: FBI (USA), police in your country, or your country’s fraud reporting body.
Within 24–48 hours: Contact the receiving bank
If you know the receiving bank (from the account details), contact them directly and ask them to:
- Freeze the receiving account pending a fraud investigation
- Recall the funds if the money has not yet been withdrawn
Provide the same information to the receiving bank as you gave your bank: the fraudulent account number, the amount, and the date of transfer.
If the receiving bank is in a different country, your bank may be able to contact them on your behalf through the SWIFT network, though this is slower.
Notify relevant third parties
Depending on the type of fraud, contact:
- If property fraud: Your solicitor, the property seller’s solicitor, and the estate agent managing the transaction. They may be able to pause completion while the fraud is investigated.
- If business invoice fraud: Your accountant, the supplier you thought you were paying, and your business insurance provider.
- If scammed by someone posing as a currency broker: The real firm they were impersonating, so they can alert other customers and issue a warning.
What to expect from your bank: the APP scheme reimbursement process (UK)
If your fraud qualifies under the Authorised Push Payment scheme, your UK bank must investigate and decide on reimbursement within 10 business days (extendable to 20 days if more information is needed).
What the APP scheme covers
You are entitled to reimbursement if:
- You were deceived into authorising a payment to an account you did not intend to pay (push payment fraud)
- The payment was made via Faster Payments or Chaps (not SWIFT or international transfers)
- You were not grossly negligent (you took reasonable precautions)
What the APP scheme does NOT cover
- SWIFT transfers or international wire transfers
- Payments made via payment apps or e-money services (unless they have signed up to the APP scheme voluntarily)
- Scenarios where you ignored clear warnings, such as Confirmation of Payee failures (when the account name did not match)
- Scenarios where you were “grossly negligent” (e.g., ignoring repeated warnings, or sharing your payment credentials)
International transfers: Realistic recovery expectations
If you sent money via SWIFT or international transfer, recovery is unfortunately very unlikely. Here is why:
- No APP scheme protection. The APP scheme only covers Faster Payments and Chaps in the UK.
- Money moves fast. Scammers withdraw funds within hours and move them through multiple accounts.
- Jurisdictional barriers. If the receiving account is overseas, your bank has limited power to freeze or recall it.
- No tracing service. Once money enters a foreign banking system, there is no reliable way to trace it.
Your only realistic options are:
- File a police report (for the crime record)
- Check if your bank has insurance that covers wire fraud (most do not)
- File a claim with your business or home insurance if the fraud falls under a covered loss
Real-world example: A partial recovery story
A business owner was invoiced by a supplier and asked to pay £45,000 to a new account. The email looked authentic and came from the supplier’s email domain. The owner sent the payment via international transfer on a Friday.
On Monday, the supplier called asking when payment would arrive. The owner realised the email was fraudulent. They immediately called their bank and reported the fraud.
Their bank contacted the receiving bank (a bank in Eastern Europe) within 24 hours. The receiving account had already been emptied, but the investigation revealed that £12,000 had been transferred onward to a third account that was still accessible. The banks coordinated a recovery, and the owner received £12,000 back after 3 weeks.
The remaining £33,000 was lost. The owner’s business insurance had a cyber fraud clause that covered some of the loss, but not all. The lesson: while full recovery is rare, acting fast can sometimes recover part of the funds.
How to prevent this in future transfers
If you are making large international transfers (for property, investments, or business), use a specialist currency broker you have verified independently:
- You have a named contact. A broker you have spoken to by phone has a number you have verified. Payment instructions come with verbal confirmation, not just email.
- There is an audit trail. The broker will have a record of exactly what you authorised, which protects you if a fraudster later tries to claim you sent money.
- Regulated brokers offer recourse. If you use an FCA-regulated currency broker, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service if something goes wrong.
This is especially important for overseas property purchases, where fraudsters often target the large deposit transfers.
Speak to Cambridge Currencies about secure transfers
If you are making or planning to make a large international transfer, Cambridge Currencies works by phone with a named specialist, so you have a real contact to verify all details with. We operate through FCA-authorised partners, Currencycloud (FRN 900199) and ScioPay (FRN 927951), so you have additional protection. Request a quote and speak to a specialist about your transfer.
Emotional impact and next steps
Being scammed is a traumatic experience. You may feel embarrassed, angry, or hopeless. These feelings are normal. However, the most important thing is to act fast and report the fraud, both to your bank and to law enforcement. This protects you from further liability and creates a record that may help police catch the fraudsters.
After you have reported the fraud, consider:
- Check your other accounts. If the scammers have your email or phone number, they may try to access other accounts. Change your passwords on all financial accounts.
- Monitor your credit report. Scammers may try to open accounts in your name. Check your credit report monthly (UK: use Clearscore, Equifax, or Experian).
- Do not give up. Recovery is possible, especially if you act within the first 24–48 hours. Your bank and law enforcement are here to help.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my money back?
Possibly, depending on the type of transfer and how quickly you report it. If you sent money via Faster Payments in the UK, you may be eligible for reimbursement under the APP scheme. If it was a SWIFT transfer, recovery is unlikely unless the fraud is reported within hours and the receiving bank can freeze the account.
How long does the recovery process take?
If your bank approves an APP claim, reimbursement typically takes 10–20 business days. If you are pursuing recovery through the receiving bank, it can take weeks or months. If the money has left the country, recovery is very unlikely.
Will my bank reimburse me automatically?
Not automatically. You must report the fraud and ask about APP eligibility. Your bank will investigate and decide whether to reimburse you. If they refuse, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
What if I ignored a Confirmation of Payee (CoP) warning?
If your bank offered CoP (where you check that the account holder’s name matches the payee name) and you ignored a warning that the name did not match, the APP scheme may not cover your loss. However, you can still complain to the Financial Ombudsman if you believe your bank should have been clearer in its warning.
What if I used a payment app, not my bank?
Payment apps are only covered by the APP scheme if they have voluntarily signed up to it. Check your app’s terms or contact their customer service to ask. If your app is not APP-covered, you have no automatic reimbursement right, though you can still report the fraud to police.
Should I hire a lawyer or recovery service?
Beware of “recovery services” that promise to retrieve your money for a fee. Most are scams themselves. Your bank and police are your best resources. If your bank refuses an APP claim, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free.
Will the scammer be caught?
It depends on the sophistication of the fraud and the jurisdiction. Simple phishing scams are rarely solved. Organised fraud gangs may be traced over time. Reporting the fraud creates a record that helps law enforcement build patterns and catch criminals.
Related guides: How to send money abroad safely · How to check a currency broker is legitimate · Conveyancing fraud: protecting your property deposit
This article is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Information about the APP scheme and recovery procedures is correct as of June 2026. Cambridge Currencies Ltd is registered in England & Wales (No. 15402338) and operates through FCA-authorised partners, Currencycloud (FRN 900199) and ScioPay (FRN 927951).
