Does scanning a QR code prove that a payment was made?¶

No. A scan usually decodes instructions and opens a payment page or application. Authorisation, provider acceptance and settlement are later events with separate records.

A scan can end without value movement¶

The user can cancel, alter details, fail authentication, receive a decline or abandon the process. A provider may record an opened request or browser access even though no payment exists. Conversely, another endpoint might complete a request first scanned elsewhere.

Identify the furthest evidenced stage¶

Preserve the code, payload, context, request ID and displayed result. Reconcile provider, wallet, bank, card or processor records for transaction status, amount, recipient, time, authentication and reference.

Device ownership is also separate from the scan and payment events. Where access logs exist, compare them with endpoint evidence rather than assuming the scanner was the payer.

Report whether the evidence establishes scanning, opening, attempted authorisation, provider completion or settlement; do not collapse those stages.