How do I verify a SWIFT payment is real?

Last reviewed: · Curated by Ohmyfin Organisation editorial.

Get the UETR from the sender and track it on Ohmyfin. If the payment exists in the SWIFT network, you'll see the actual status, sending bank and progress. If the UETR returns 'not found' (and isn't recently sent or recalled), the document the sender showed you is almost certainly fake. Never ship goods or release services based on a screenshot of an MT103 alone.

Free for individuals worldwide · 10 lookups per day, no signup required.

Details

Fake MT103 / pacs.008 PDFs are one of the most common B2B scams. The fraudster shows a polished-looking 'SWIFT confirmation' PDF claiming the payment is on the way. The PDF is fully fabricated and no payment was ever sent.

The only reliable verification is to track the UETR independently on a tracker that queries the actual SWIFT GPI network — like Ohmyfin. If the payment exists, the tracker will return its real status. If not, the document is fake.

Red flags for a fake MT103: refusal to share the UETR, UETR that doesn't match the 36-char hex format, sender uses webmail instead of a corporate email, urgency to release goods 'before the payment clears', request to refund a difference (overpayment scam).

Even a real MT103 PDF doesn't prove the payment will arrive — payments can be recalled, rejected, or held. The live GPI status on Ohmyfin shows what's actually happening right now.

Rule of thumb: never ship goods or release services on the strength of a payment document alone. Wait for the funds to actually appear in your account, or at minimum confirm ACSC/ACCC status on the live GPI tracker.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

How do I verify a SWIFT payment is real?

Get the UETR from the sender and track it on Ohmyfin. If the payment exists in the SWIFT network, you'll see the actual status, sending bank and progress. If the UETR returns 'not found' (and isn't recently sent or recalled), the document the sender showed you is almost certainly fake. Never ship goods or release services based on a screenshot of an MT103 alone.

Is Ohmyfin tracking really free?

Yes. Ohmyfin tracking is free for individuals worldwide — 10 lookups per IP per day with no signup, plus 100 free credits when you create an account. We never charge ordinary users.

Do I need a bank login to use Ohmyfin?

No. Ohmyfin queries the SWIFT GPI network directly via the UETR — no credentials at any bank required.

Get 100 free credits — track unlimited SWIFT payments

No card needed. Free for ordinary users — 5 IP-based lookups per day, plus 100 credits instantly when you sign up with email. Use them on any international wire across 11,000+ banks.

Sign up free — get 100 credits Or try the tracker now →
ExploreSWIFT trackerUETR trackerWestern Union MTCN trackerMoneyGram reference trackerRia PIN trackerRemitly trackerXoom / PayPal trackerWorldRemit trackerWise trackerRevolut trackerOFX trackerZelle trackerVenmo trackerCash App trackerPayoneer trackerSkrill trackerNeteller trackerInstarem trackerTRN trackerMT103 trackerWire-transfer trackerSWIFT GPI trackerBIC lookupIBAN explainedUETR explainedTRN explainedBIC explainedMT103 guideMT202 guidepacs.008 guideField 20Field 32AField 50KField 57AField 121 (UETR)Track USDTrack EURTrack GBPTrack CNYTrack INRSWIFT vs SEPASWIFT vs ACHUETR vs TRNBIC vs IBANMT103 vs pacs.008How long: UKHow long: USHow long: IndiaHow long: EurozoneStatus: ACSPStatus: ACCCStatus: RJCTStatus: PDNGSWIFT GPISWIFTNetOhmyfin AI AssistantSWIFT status todayBank trackersTrack HSBCTrack ChaseTrack BarclaysTrack NatWestTrack WiseTrack RevolutAsk: How to track SWIFTAsk: UETR not foundAsk: Stuck 2 weeksAsk: Get UETR from bankAsk: Is Ohmyfin freeAlliance AccessAlliance GatewaySWIFT GoKYC RegistryAbout swift.comSWIFT productsCurrency guidesPayment comparisonsPayment speedStatus codesSWIFT field referencePayments glossarySWIFT message typesSWIFT/BIC directoryCorrespondent banksKnowledge centerReject codesAC01 rejectAC04 rejectBE01 rejectCH09 rejectRR04 rejectHelp & troubleshootingPayment not receivedFind UETR on MT103Cancel SWIFT paymentFake MT103 warningMajor banksJPMorgan Chase BICHSBC BICDeutsche Bank BICCiti BICBNY Mellon BICCountry corridorsSend US → IndiaSend US → MexicoSend US → PhilippinesSend UK → IndiaSend UK → PakistanSend UAE → IndiaSend UAE → PhilippinesSend Saudi → IndiaSend Canada → IndiaSend Australia → IndiaMT message referenceMT202COVMT199MT940MT942MT900MT910MT195MT103 STPBanks by countryBanks in USBanks in UKBanks in GermanyBanks in IndiaBanks in ChinaBanks in UAEBanks in Saudi ArabiaBanks in SingaporeBanks in Hong KongBanks in JapanBanks in BrazilUse casesFreelancer paid abroadPay overseas supplierE-commerce payoutsTuition paymentReal estate abroadFamily remittanceScam alertsFake MT103 fraudMoney-transfer providersTrack WiseTrack RevolutTrack Western UnionTrack MoneyGramTrack RemitlyTrack RiaTrack XoomTrack WorldRemitTrack PayoneerTrack PayPalTrack OFXTrack SkrillTrack SendwaveTrack InstaremTrack TransferGoTrack Stripe payoutTrack AirwallexTrack HSBC Global MoneyTrack Monzo / Revolut / N26Wise vs RevolutWise vs PayPalWise vs Western UnionWise vs bank wireWestern Union vs MoneyGramRemitly vs Western UnionSend money to IndiaSend money to PhilippinesSend money to MexicoSend money to NigeriaSend money to PakistanSend money to UKAdvance-fee fraudBEC / CEO fraudPig butchering scamRomance scam wire