GDANSK, November 11, 2026 — Criminals are reusing single fraudulent bank accounts to target an average of 34 companies each, according to data from French payment security firm Sis ID. The finding illustrates how payment fraud has shifted toward an industrial model where the same banking details are weaponised repeatedly across borders.
The Mechanics of Reuse
Sis ID identified and blocked more than 14,000 fraudulent International Bank Account Numbers by late October 2026. Internal data shows that a single fake IBAN is deployed against an average of 34 businesses within the firm’s network. Patrice Bouexel, president of Sis ID, told Reuters that the repeated use of these accounts allows scammers to multiply the impact of each set of credentials they manage to open. The catch is that the infrastructure behind the fraud is built for volume, not bespoke deception.
Follow the Money to the Source
Many of the fraudulent traces originate in the Asia-Pacific region or Russia, Bouexel said. Large-scale scam operations also exist in countries such as Myanmar, where participants are forced to work under coercive conditions. These groups frequently target wealthier economies and large corporations, where a successful payment diversion yields a far higher return. Sis ID monitors bank account information for businesses in more than 190 countries and territories, giving it a view of the cross-border flow of these operations.
The Network Effect in Verification
The firm cross-checks bank details against multiple data sources and intelligence shared by companies in its network before payments are executed. Around 36% of Sis ID’s automated verification decisions rely on information contributed by other businesses within that network. Suspicious accounts can often be flagged in near real time, while more complex investigations take several hours. The company said its services help protect hundreds of billions of euros in annual payments across industries including energy, automotive, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Sources
- Criminals Reuse Fake Bank Accounts to Scam 34 Businesses: Report
- NEWS: Criminals reuse fake bank accounts to scam dozens of businesses, payment security firm says – AML Intelligence
- Criminals reuse fake bank accounts to scam dozens of businesses, payment security firm says – SRN News
- Criminals Reuse Fake Bank Accounts to Scam 34 Businesses: Report
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