ACTIONFRAUD UK: What is Payment Diversion Fraud? Payment Diversion Fraud, Scams Small Business Owners with Fake Payment Requests. Payment Diversion Fraud (PDF), also known as Mandate Fraud or Business Email Compromise (BEC), is a rapidly growing threat targeting Small Businesses and customers involved in electronic transactions. According to ActionFraud, these cybercriminals use clever tactics and convincing digital deception to manipulate their victims.
The scam usually begins with a fraudulent email, often appearing to come from a trusted supplier, partner, or customer. Posing as someone familiar, the scammers request a payment or announce a change of bank account details. They back up their claims by sending realistic fake invoices or communications, leading to unsuspecting payments directly into criminal-controlled accounts.
The fraudsters, skilled at impersonation, take time to meticulously research and mimic legitimate contacts, making their schemes difficult to spot. To guard against becoming a victim, authorities advise taking a moment to pause and verify requests by following the “Take Five to Stop Fraud” guidelines—this simple act could save your money and peace of mind.
