Invoice Scams and Account Number Changes: Sent Money to a Scammer Instead of Your Supplier?
“I received an email from our supplier with an invoice. Everything matched – the contract number, amount, and description. But the account number was different. A week later, they called saying they never received the money.”
This is one of the most dangerous business-related frauds today. The attacker intercepts email communicationbetween companies and replaces the account number on the invoice.
Everything else remains unchanged – wording, amount, signature. The payment then lands in the scammer’s account, often abroad.
This type of fraud is often known as a “man-in-the-middle” or “BEC – Business Email Compromise” attack.
It typically meets the legal definitions of fraud (§ 209 of the Czech Criminal Code) and unauthorized access to a computer system (§ 230).
Targets include companies, accounting departments, schools, healthcare institutions, and individuals.
Immediate action is crucial – file a criminal complaint and notify the bank.
📌 Common Signs
Email with an invoice from a familiar supplier
Subtle change in the account number (looks legitimate)
Everything else checks out: amount, reference number, description
Supplier contacts you weeks later saying they received nothing
Account belongs to a foreign entity or individual
Funds are quickly transferred and unrecoverable
⚖️ Possible Criminal Charges
Fraud (§ 209)
Unauthorized access to a computer system (§ 230)
Forgery or alteration of a document (§ 348) – in some cases
🧾 What Evidence Should You Gather?
Both the original and the altered email
Copies of both invoices
Bank statements from both parties
IP addresses and login records (if available)
Summary of communication with the supplier and bank
❗ Risk
This scam is highly sophisticated – attackers may monitor your emails for weeks.
A single account change can cause companies to lose hundreds of thousands or even millions of CZK.
Without swift action and preservation of digital evidence, the culprit is nearly impossible to trace.
Being a victim is not shameful – doing nothing is.
✅ What I Can Do for You
Draft a detailed criminal complaint tailored to this type of fraud
Help contact the bank and trace the payment
Assist with gathering technical evidence, IT cooperation
All for a fixed fee of CZK 10,000 + VAT
🎯 Was the account number changed on your invoice and the money vanished?
📩 Contact me as soon as possible – the sooner we act, the better the chance of recovery.
💬 Just message me “invoice account change” – and we’ll get started.
Contact a legal professional – I specialize in criminal law.
Learn more here.
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- Naposledy aktualizováno: 30/06/2025
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Invoice Scams and Account Number Changes: Sent Money to a Scammer Instead of Your Supplier?
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