Common BOA receipt fraud techniques
Fraudsters target BOA users with several techniques:
- Edited screenshots: taking a real BOA receipt and changing the amount or reference number
- Fabricated JSON data: creating a fake receipt page that looks like BOA's format
- Old receipts: reusing a genuine receipt from a past transaction and claiming it's new
- Reference number guessing: generating plausible-looking reference numbers that don't exist in BOA's system
- Pressure tactics: rushing you to release goods before you can verify
How to verify a BOA receipt
The only reliable way to detect a fake BOA receipt is to verify it against the bank's own system. Bank of Abyssinia publishes receipts at https://cs.bankofabyssinia.com/api/onlineSlip/getDetails/?id={REFERENCE}{LAST_5_DIGITS}. cheki automates this: paste the reference number and account digits and cheki fetches the receipt in seconds. If the receipt doesn't exist in BOA's system, it's fake.
Red flags specific to BOA
Before even verifying, watch for these warning signs:
- The reference number doesn't match BOA's format (Alphanumeric reference starting with 2 letters (varies by transaction type). Inter-bank transfers use FT references (e.g., FT252003JZPP).)
- The sender pressures you to release goods immediately
- The receipt shows a different amount than what was agreed
- The date on the receipt is from days or weeks ago
- The receipt is a low-quality screenshot or photo that's hard to read
- The sender avoids phone calls and only communicates via text
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a BOA receipt is fake?
The only reliable way is to verify it against BOA's own system. Every BOA receipt has a unique reference number. Paste it into cheki and we'll fetch the receipt from BOA's public endpoint. If the receipt doesn't exist, it's fake. If it exists but the amount or sender name doesn't match, someone may be using a real receipt for a different transaction.
Can someone edit a BOA screenshot?
Yes. Screenshots can be edited in any photo editing app in seconds. A fraudster can take a genuine BOA receipt screenshot, change the amount or reference number, and send it to you. The edited screenshot looks real but the transaction doesn't exist in BOA's system. Never trust screenshots alone.
What should I do if I detect a fake BOA receipt?
Do not release goods or services. Ask the sender to complete the payment again. If you suspect intentional fraud, report the incident to Bank of Abyssinia and to the Ethiopian police cybercrime unit. Keep the fake receipt as evidence.
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