After a scam transfer, the first thirty minutes matter most
Three things to do at once
1. Screenshot every transaction record and chat window, including profile photos, timestamps, and amounts. 2. Call the bank's emergency line and request an "urgent payment suspension" using the recipient's account number. 3. Call 110 or go to the nearest police station to file a report and get a receipt. Do all three simultaneously.
Alipay and WeChat freeze procedures
On Alipay, search "I was scammed" on the home screen to access the fraud complaint flow. On WeChat, go to Wallet, find the transfer, and select "I have a question about this transaction." Also ask your bank to flag the recipient's receiving card.
Recovery odds
The effective window is roughly 30 minutes to two hours. Freezing succeeds most often when funds are still in the recipient's account or in the clearing pipeline. Once withdrawn, recovery becomes far harder — but filing a police report remains essential for any eventual investigation.