Read what the payer says a payment is for

Fields

• Purpose chosen from the list
• Payer's typed answers
• Payee name as entered
• Payment reference

Questions

1. Is there enough in the payer's words to judge what the payment is for? Yes / No

   Read the purpose chosen, the typed answers, the payee name and the reference together. One clear sentence is enough. Yes: The words say what the payment is for, well enough to judge whether they tell a scam story. No: The payer typed nothing meaningful, for example "stuff", "x", "payment" or a single word, and the reference adds nothing.

2. Which scam story, if any, do the payer's words most resemble? Choice

   Pick the one scam story the words most resemble. Choose No scam story when the words describe an ordinary payment. Judge the story the words tell, not the payee name.

   • No scam story An ordinary payment such as rent, a bill, a purchase from a known seller or money to family, with nothing that fits a scam story.
   • Bank or police impersonation Someone claiming to be from the bank, the police or another authority says the money is at risk and must be moved to keep it safe.
   • Other impersonation Someone claiming to be from a tax office, a utility, a delivery firm or a phone company asks for payment of a bill, a fine or a fee.
   • Investment Crypto, a trading platform or an opportunity promising high or guaranteed returns, usually found online or through a new contact.
   • Romance or friendship Money for someone the payer knows only online or has never met in person, often for travel, a medical bill or an emergency.
   • Purchase from a stranger Goods, a pet, tickets, a vehicle or a rental deposit paid by bank transfer to a seller found online, usually before seeing the item.
   • Invoice or bank detail change A supplier, builder, solicitor or landlord has sent new bank details for a payment the payer expected to make.
   • Advance fee A fee paid to release a loan, a prize, an inheritance, a parcel or a refund.
   • Job or task scam Paying to unlock earnings, commission or a job that comes from online tasks, reviews or orders.
   • Relative on a new number A message claiming to be from a child or another relative with a new phone number asks for money urgently.

3. Do the typed answers describe a different kind of payment from the purpose chosen? Yes / No

   Compare the purpose chosen from the list with the typed answers, the payee name and the reference. Yes: The words describe a different kind of payment, for example "Paying a friend or family member" chosen while the text describes moving money to a safe account, or "Buying goods" chosen while the text describes an investment. No: The words fit the purpose chosen, or add detail consistent with it.

4. Do the words show someone else telling the payer what to do, say or choose for this payment? Yes / No

   Count "I was told to", "the adviser said", being told which purpose to pick or what to type, and being told to keep the payment secret from the bank, family or friends. A seller or supplier asking to be paid, as in an ordinary invoice, does not count. Yes: Someone else is directing the payment, the purpose chosen, the words typed, or the secrecy around it. No: The payer describes the payment in their own terms, with no sign that someone is directing them.

5. Does the payer say the payment must be made now because of a threat, a deadline or a loss if they wait? Yes / No

   Count a stated threat or deadline, such as "before 5pm or I lose it", "or my account will be closed", "or I will be arrested", or a bargain that will be gone. An ordinary due date, such as rent due on the 1st, does not count. Yes: The words put the payment under pressure of time or threat. No: No pressure of time or threat is stated.

6. Does the payer say the person receiving or asking for the money is someone they know only online? Yes / No

   Count a person met on a dating site, social media, a game or a messaging group, or anyone the payer says they have never met in person. Yes: The words say the person is known only online or has never been met. No: The words do not say this, say the payer knows the person face to face, or the payee is a business.

7. Is the money going to the payer's own account elsewhere, crypto or gift cards, to be kept safe or moved on? Yes / No

   Count money going to an account in the payer's own name at another firm, a crypto exchange, a trading account, a wallet or gift cards, when the words say it is being kept safe from a threat, will be moved on from there, or was set up by someone else. Yes: The words describe money moved to a place in the payer's name to be kept safe, moved on, or managed by someone else. No: The money is going to a person or business for goods, services, a bill or a gift, or it is a plain move between the payer's own accounts with no one else involved.

8. Do the words suggest the payer is passing money on for someone else? Yes / No

   Count receiving money and sending it on, a "payment processing" or "money transfer agent" job, paying on behalf of someone they are helping, or being paid to let their account be used. Yes: The words suggest the payer is moving money on for someone else. No: The payer is paying for themselves or for a purpose of their own.

9. How clearly do the payer's words tell a known scam story? Scale

   Rate how clearly the words, taken together, tell one of the scam stories named in the context. Rate the words, not the person and not the amount.

   • None An ordinary payment. Nothing in the words fits a scam story.
   • Faint One weak sign, such as vague wording or a passing mention of an online contact, with no story behind it.
   • Clear A recognisable scam story, or several signs that point the same way.
   • Strong A clear scam story together with pressure, secrecy, coaching or a request to move money to safety.

Lens columns

enough_information, enough_information_probability, scam_story, scam_story_probability, purpose_mismatch, purpose_mismatch_probability, someone_directing, someone_directing_probability, urgency, urgency_probability, met_online, met_online_probability, own_account_onward, own_account_onward_probability, mule_signals, mule_signals_probability, story_strength, story_strength_average