The 72-Hour SWIFT Recall Window
Why the first three days after a fraudulent wire matter more than any other factor.
SWIFT — the interbank messaging network — supports a recall procedure (MT192 / MT292) that allows an originating bank to request the reversal of an outgoing wire. The procedure is not automatic. It requires immediate initiation by the sender's bank and a receptive beneficiary institution.
In practice, the operational window is approximately 72 hours. After that, funds are typically dispersed through downstream accounts, converted to crypto or cash, or moved to jurisdictions where cooperation is limited.
We coordinate recall requests directly with correspondent banks and FIUs across 42 jurisdictions. In cases opened within the first 24 hours, our interception rate exceeds 70%. Beyond 96 hours, the number is materially lower — a fact we disclose plainly during intake.