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Fraud in international trade is becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially in the export–import sector. Scammers often pose as buyers or agents, using convincing language and fake documents to exploit exporters. Understanding common fraud characteristics is essential to protect your business, finances, and reputation.
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One common red flag is when a buyer offers a large order without requesting detailed specifications. Fraudulent buyers often claim they want multiple containers per month but show no interest in critical details such as ash content, moisture level, fixed carbon, size, packing method, or end use (BBQ or shisha). In legitimate trade, serious buyers are highly detail-oriented because product specifications directly affect performance and resale value.
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Another dangerous warning sign occurs when a buyer asks you to pay a third party on their behalf. This may include inspection agents, suppliers, freight forwarders, or so-called “document fees.” Scammers typically promise reimbursement after shipment or after issuing a proforma invoice. In legitimate international transactions, payments must always be made directly between buyer and seller. Requests for third-party payments should be treated as an immediate deal-breaker.
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Fraudulent buyers also tend to refuse video calls or factory verification. They consistently avoid real-time communication by giving excuses such as poor internet connection, traveling, broken cameras, or low battery. This behavior indicates an attempt to hide their identity or operating environment. Genuine buyers are usually willing to join video calls, verify factories, or even request factory tours before finalizing a deal.
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Another strong indicator of fraud is when a buyer asks for a proforma invoice too quickly. Scammers often request a PI immediately without discussing specifications, prices, production capacity, quality standards, or payment terms. In many cases, they misuse your PI to deceive other victims by pretending to be a legitimate supplier. Real buyers only request a PI after all technical and commercial terms are clearly agreed upon.
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Buyers who refuse secure payment methods should also raise serious concern. Legitimate buyers typically accept standard international payment options such as Letter of Credit (LC), Escrow, Trade Assurance, or structured deposits to protect both parties. Fraudsters usually reject these methods and insist on direct TT transfers to personal bank accounts. No legitimate company conducts international B2B payments through personal accounts.
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Offering unrealistically high prices is another manipulation tactic used by scammers. They may offer prices far above the global market rate to gain your trust quickly. Once trust is established, the scam escalates into requests for upfront payments, third-party transfers, or rushed shipments. Genuine buyers negotiate within realistic market ranges and base pricing on specifications and volume.
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Urgency is also a powerful tool used in export–import fraud. Scammers push sellers to act quickly by claiming immediate shipment needs, limited-time offers, or pressure such as “send now” or “don’t waste time.” Their goal is to bypass standard procedures like quality verification, documentation checks, and due diligence. Real buyers understand the export process and respect realistic timelines.
In conclusion, fraud in the export–import business follows recognizable patterns. Any buyer who avoids transparency, rejects verification, pressures urgency, or deviates from standard trade practices should be treated with extreme caution. Protecting your business starts with strict procedures, clear documentation, and refusing to compromise on verification and payment security.
