Edited Screenshot Receipt Fraud
How fraudsters edit bank receipt screenshots to scam Ethiopian merchants.
Verify a receipt nowThe screenshot editing problem
Receipt screenshots are the most commonly shared payment proof in Ethiopia. Customers send screenshots via Telegram, WhatsApp, or SMS to prove they've made a payment. But screenshots are just images, and images can be edited. A fraudster takes a genuine receipt screenshot, changes the amount from 1,000 ETB to 10,000 ETB, and sends it to a merchant who then releases 10,000 ETB worth of goods for a 1,000 ETB payment.
Common editing techniques
Fraudsters use several techniques to edit receipt screenshots:
- Amount editing: changing the transferred amount to a higher value
- Reference number swapping: replacing the reference with one from a different, smaller transaction
- Date editing: changing an old receipt's date to make it look recent
- Name editing: changing the sender name to match the expected buyer
- Composite editing: combining elements from multiple real receipts into one fake
The solution: always verify the reference
Screenshot fraud only works because merchants trust images. The fix is simple: always verify the transaction reference number through cheki before releasing goods. cheki fetches the receipt directly from the bank's public endpoint. If the reference number doesn't exist, or if the amount on the receipt doesn't match what the screenshot claims, you'll know immediately. This takes 2-10 seconds and costs nothing.
Frequently asked questions
How easy is it to edit a receipt screenshot?
Extremely easy. Any photo editing app on a phone can change the amount, reference number, or date on a receipt screenshot in under a minute. The edited screenshot looks identical to the original at a glance. This is one of the most common receipt fraud techniques in Ethiopia.
Can I detect an edited screenshot by looking at it?
Sometimes, but not reliably. You might notice inconsistent fonts, misaligned text, or compression artifacts around edited areas. But a skilled editor can make changes that are invisible to the naked eye. The only reliable detection method is to verify the reference number against the bank's system.
Which apps are used to edit receipts?
Common photo editing apps like Photoshop, Snapseed, or even the built-in phone photo editor can be used. Some fraudsters use specialized receipt generator apps that create fake receipts from scratch. None of these produce receipts that will verify against the bank's actual system.
Verify a receipt now
Open cheki