Where do you report internet fraud?
If you've lost money, the first hours are critical. Which incident goes to which institution, and which evidence you need to gather — in order.
With fraud there are two jobs: stopping the money and filing a criminal complaint. The two are done in different places, and the order matters. If the money transfer has only just been made, reaching the bank comes even before reporting.
The steps below sort out where to apply in which situation. Don't neglect gathering evidence; a complaint without screenshots often can't move forward.
- Time1 hour
- DifficultyMedium
- Steps7
🧰 What you need
- Screenshots and messages
- Bank receipt/transaction record
- The other party's account, phone or link details
Steps
- Stop the money firstIf a bank transfer/EFT or a card transaction has only just been made, call your bank immediately and instruct them to reverse the transaction. Banks can stop some transactions within a short time.💡 Note down the name of the person you spoke to on the phone and the transaction number.
- Gather the evidenceTake screenshots of your messages, the listing, the link and the payment record. Make sure the date, the time and the other party's username are visible in them.💡 Don't delete the chat; the chat itself may be requested as evidence.
- File a criminal complaintGo to the nearest police unit or the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and file a complaint. In an emergency, you can call 155 Police Emergency.
- Report it to the cybercrime unitThe Combating Cybercrime units of the General Directorate of Security handle incidents of this kind. Take the evidence you've gathered with you when you apply.
- Report the malicious link/site to USOMIf a fake site, a phishing link or malware is involved, report it through the report form on usom.gov.tr. That way the link can be blocked before it harms others too.
- If content needs to be removed, apply to BTKFor internet content containing criminal elements, the “Internet Report Application” service on e-Devlet can be used.
- Secure your accountsChange the password of every account where you used the same password, turn on two-step verification and close unknown sessions.
⚠ This guide is general information. Yudum cannot be held responsible for the outcome of following it; for official procedures always rely on the institution's own statement. Steps and fees change over time.
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