Fake Site Scam

Fake site fraud is deceiving people and causing financial harm by pretending to be a real institution, brand, bank, cargo company, e-commerce site or public service. With this method, card information, password, identification information or direct money transfer can be obtained from the victim.

Due to the intense use of e-commerce, digital banking and online shopping in Istanbul, fake site fraud files come to the fore frequently. In such cases, it is important to act quickly in order to protect the evidence and identify the accounts to which the money was transferred.

What is Fake Site Scam?

Fake site fraud is the deception of the victim through fake pages prepared to resemble a real website. The victim often thinks that he or she is making a transaction on the website of a real bank, shopping site, payment institution or cargo company.

These sites usually request card information, internet banking password, identity information or payment. Once the information is entered, money can be withdrawn from the victim's account or the victim can make a payment directly to the account directed by the fraudsters.

Which Crime is Fake Site Fraud?

Fake site fraud is considered a qualified fraud crime in most cases. Because information systems, websites, banks or credit institutions can be used as tools to commit crimes.

Depending on the concrete case, different crimes such as hacking into the IT system, illegally seizing data, misusing bank or credit cards and unlawful use of personal data may also come to the fore.

How to Do Fake Site Scam?

In fake site fraud, the perpetrator may use a domain name, logo, design and payment screen that resembles a real site. The aim is to make the victim think the site is real.

These sites are generally delivered to the victim via SMS, e-mail, social media advertisement, fake search engine results or messaging applications. When the victim clicks on the link, he or she is directed to a fake payment or information entry screen.

Most Common Types of Fake Sites

Fake sites can be created by imitating different sectors. Fraudsters can force the victim to make a quick decision by using trustworthy brands or issues that require urgent action.

Fake Banking Site Scam

Fake bank sites may request internet banking password, card number, CVV, SMS verification code or mobile confirmation information by imitating the design of the real bank. When the victim enters this information, money may be withdrawn from his account.

In such incidents, bank transactions, login alerts, SMS records, fake site links and transaction hours are important. An application must be made to the bank without delay and a criminal complaint must be filed with the prosecutor's office.

Fake Shipping Site Scam

On fake shipping sites, messages are usually sent to the victim saying "your package is pending", "customs fees must be paid" or "a small payment is required for delivery". The person who clicks on the link is directed to the fake payment screen.

Card information can be captured during what appears to be a small payment. Afterwards, transactions with higher amounts can be made from the card or the information can be used in other fraudulent transactions.

Fake Shopping Site Scam

Fake shopping sites offer products well below the market price and make the victim pay. Products such as phones, electronic goods, white goods, clothing, furniture or vehicle parts are frequently used examples.

After the victim makes the payment, the product is not sent or fake shipping information is shared. In this case, the order screen, payment receipt, site link, contact correspondence and invoice information, if any, should be kept.

Fake Advertising and Deposit Fraud

In fake advertisement fraud, a deposit is requested from the victim for unreal vehicle, house, land, telephone or job advertisement. The scammer may force the victim to pay quickly by telling them that the ad is in high demand.

In such cases, the screenshot of the advertisement, advertisement number, telephone number, IBAN information, messaging messages and payment receipt are important evidence. Evidence must be recorded immediately as the ad may be deleted in a short time.

Fake Investment and Cryptocurrency Sites

Fake investment sites may deceive the victim with the promise of high profits, guaranteed returns or making money in a short time. It may be made as if the victim sees small gains at first, then is manipulated into making higher payments.

Money transfers, wallet addresses, platform accounts, correspondence and user panel images are important in cryptocurrency or investment fraud files. These files may require technical review.

How to Spot a Fake Site Scam?

Fake sites can sometimes look very similar to real sites. However, letter changes in the domain name, lack of secure connections, urgent payment pressure and unusual discounts should raise suspicion.

Real institutions generally do not ask for a card password, internet banking password or verification code via SMS or message. If such information is requested, the site and institution must be verified before the transaction is made.

What Should the Victim Do First?

The person who is exposed to fake site fraud should first contact his bank. Card cancellation, account security, transaction objection and suspicious transfer notification must be made without delay.

Then, the evidence should be preserved and a criminal complaint should be filed with the prosecutor's office. Link, screenshot, payment receipt, correspondence, SMS, e-mail and site information must be kept.

Why is it important to apply to the bank?

Quick application to the bank is important to prevent money from being transferred to other accounts or to stop card transactions. You should not waste time, especially in credit card and debit card transactions.

It is also important to record the application made to the bank. The application number, objection form and bank response may be used in the future for criminal investigation or compensation claim.

How to File a Criminal Report to the Prosecutor's Office?

The victim of fake site fraud can file a criminal complaint with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The petition should clearly explain how the incident took place, which site was accessed, which account the money was sent to and what information was shared.

Including evidence in a criminal complaint helps the investigation progress faster. Especially IBAN, receipt, site address, telephone number, e-mail, social media account and correspondence should be submitted to the file.

Evidence in Fake Site Fraud

In these crimes, evidence mostly consists of digital and financial records. Rapid collection of evidence is important for identifying the perpetrators and the money transfer chain.

Is the Screenshot Enough?

The screenshot is an important evidence; However, this alone may not always be sufficient. Containing date, time, URL and user information in the screenshot increases its evidentiary value.

Since the fake site can be closed in a short time, it may be useful to make digital detection through notary detection, expert examination or law enforcement, if possible. It is important that the evidence is unaltered and reliable.

Is the IBAN Owner to whom the Money is Sent Responsible?

The owner of the IBAN to which the victim's money was sent is investigated within the scope of the investigation. However, whether the IBAN owner is the main perpetrator is evaluated separately in each case.

In some cases, the account owner may have rented his account, had it used, or may have been deceived himself. For this reason, account movements, withdrawal images, mobile banking entries and correspondence are examined.

Can Money Be Recovered in Fake Site Scam?

The recovery of money varies depending on the type of transaction, application time to the bank, accounts to which the money is transferred and the speed of the investigation. In some cases, it may be possible to block the account or freeze suspicious funds.

However, if the money is quickly transferred to different accounts, the collection process may become difficult. In this case, in addition to the criminal investigation, a civil lawsuit or compensation process may also be considered.

What Should Be Done If Credit Card Information Has Been Obtained?

If card information has been entered on a fake site, the card must be canceled immediately. An expense objection should be made to the bank and a request to stop suspicious transactions should be made.

Additionally, internet banking, e-mail and related account passwords should be changed. If the same password is used on other platforms, the security of these accounts should also be checked.

What Happens If Personal Data Has Been Shared?

Personal data may be misused if identity, address, phone number, e-mail, card information or password is shared through the fake site. New fraudulent transactions, opening fake accounts or identity abuse can be carried out with this information.

Therefore, the victim must pay attention not only to the loss of money but also to identity and data security. If necessary, account security should be increased by informing the relevant institutions.

Is Fake Site Fraud Dependent on Complaints?

Fake site fraud is considered qualified fraud in most cases and can be investigated ex officio by the prosecutor's office. However, the victim's complaint is important in terms of collecting evidence and explaining the incident.

The fact that the victim says "I am not complaining" may not always mean that the case will be completely closed. The prosecutor's office makes an evaluation in terms of crime nature and public order.

What Should a Person Who is Under Investigation for Fake Site Fraud Do?

The person against whom there is an allegation of fake site fraud should learn the scope of the file before giving a statement. All aspects of the incident must be examined, even if the bank account, IP record, phone line or domain name registration appears in the person's name.

It is important for the defense whether the person has established the site, whether he is aware of the money movements, whether he has used his account and whether he has received benefits. Technical evidence should be evaluated carefully.

How Much is the Penalty for Fake Site Fraud?

Fake site fraud can be considered qualified fraud in most cases. Using information systems or bank-credit institutions as tools may result in a more severe penalty.

Depending on the specific case, evaluations may be made for different crimes such as misuse of bank or credit cards, seizure of personal data or hacking into the IT system. Therefore, the amount of the penalty varies depending on the nature of the crime in the file.

Is There a Risk of Arrest?

The risk of arrest in fake site fraud files varies depending on factors such as the number of victims, amount of damage, alleged organized action, evidence status and suspicion of escape. The risk may increase if there are many victims or large amounts of money movement.

However, arrest is not an automatic consequence. The court evaluates whether judicial control measures will be sufficient and the concrete evidence in the file.

How is Digital Evidence Examined?

The prosecutor's office may investigate domain name records, IP information, hosting records, bank transactions and contact data regarding the fake site. Device review, telephone records, and digital materials may also be included in the file.

It is important to obtain digital evidence in accordance with the law. Evidence obtained illegally may be a matter of dispute during the trial process.

Fake Site Scam Files in Istanbul

Fake site fraud files in Istanbul usually contain many victims, different bank accounts and digital platform records. Therefore, it is important which unit conducts the investigation and how the evidence is collected.

It may vary depending on the competent courthouse for the European Side and Anatolian Side of Istanbul, the location of the victim, the account to which the money is transferred and the connection points of the digital transaction. The file needs to be followed correctly at an early stage.

Legal Support from Attorney Mehmet Emin Kurşun

Legal support in fake site fraud cases is not limited to just writing a criminal complaint. Preserving evidence, applying to the bank, tracking money transfers, blocking accounts, reviewing digital records and following up criminal investigations are important.

Attorney Mehmet Emin Kurşun provides legal support in the field of fake site fraud, internet fraud, bank account usage, personal data breach, qualified fraud and cyber crimes in Istanbul.

Things to Know Before Starting the Legal Process

People who are victims of fake site fraud should keep the evidence without deleting it, make a quick application to the bank and file a criminal complaint with the prosecutor's office. Site link, receipt, screenshot and correspondence are important for the investigation.

Persons against whom a fake site fraud investigation is initiated must evaluate their bank records, digital evidence and the criminal nature of the file before giving a statement. Getting early legal support in such cases in Istanbul reduces the risk of loss of rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fake site scam?

Fake site fraud is the act of deceiving the victim into obtaining money, card information or personal data through a website disguised as a real institution or brand.

Which crime is fake site fraud?

In most cases, the crime of qualified fraud comes to the fore. Depending on the concrete incident, cyber crimes, misuse of bank cards or personal data crimes may also be evaluated.

What should be done if money is withdrawn via fake shipping message?

First of all, card and account security should be ensured by contacting the bank, and then a criminal complaint should be filed with the prosecutor's office with the evidence.

I entered my card information on a fake site, what should I do?

The card should be canceled immediately, a spending objection should be made to the bank and the passwords should be changed. Additionally, fake site links and screenshots should be kept.

Can money be refunded in case of fake site fraud?

The recovery of money varies depending on the type of transaction, the application period to the bank and the accounts to which the money is transferred. Quick reference is important.

Can a lawsuit be filed against the IBAN owner?

The IBAN owner to whom the money is sent is investigated in the investigation. Liability is determined by whether the person was aware of the money and their connection to the crime.

Can a screenshot be evidence?

Yes, the screenshot can be evidence. However, supporting it with URL, date, time and user information increases its evidentiary value.

Is fake site fraud subject to complaint?

In most cases, it is considered within the scope of qualified fraud and the prosecutor's office can conduct an investigation ex officio. The victim's complaint is important in collecting evidence.

Is it a crime to create a fake website?

Yes. Establishing a fake site to deceive people, take money or obtain personal data can bring different crimes to the agenda.

Why is the support of a fake site fraud lawyer in Istanbul important?

In Istanbul, these files usually contain bank transactions, digital evidence, a large number of victims and technical investigations. Legal support helps to collect evidence correctly and conduct the process effectively.