High riskBusiness

Fake Purchase Order Scam

In this scam, fraudsters impersonate a university, large company, or government body, sending a convincing purchase order to obtain goods on credit, then redirect or collect the goods and never pay.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Order fraud (business)
Main red flag
A large order on credit from a 'trusted' body with unusual delivery details.
What to do first
Verify the order using contact details you find independently, not on the order.

What to know first

In this scam, fraudsters impersonate a university, large company, or government body, sending a convincing purchase order to obtain goods on credit, then redirect or collect the goods and never pay.

Small-business and workplace scams target companies with fake invoices, supplier and CEO impersonation, payroll diversion, bogus directory or registration fees, and purchase-order fraud. Business email compromise is among the costliest of all frauds.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: A large order on credit from a 'trusted' body with unusual delivery details. Verify the order using contact details you find independently, not on the order.

Related tricks worth knowing: the Payroll Diversion Scam and the Invoice Redirection Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Small Business & Workplace Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

$2.9B
reported lost to business email compromise (BEC) in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
$12.5B
total reported internet-crime losses in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

Tell-tale red flags

  • A large order on credit from a new 'official' customer
  • Contact details only as given on the order itself
  • Delivery to an address that differs from the organisation
  • Pressure to ship quickly on credit terms
  • Email domains that mimic the real organisation

Staying safe

  • Verify the order using independently found contact details
  • Confirm the delivery address matches the organisation
  • Be cautious with credit terms for new customers
  • Report suspected fake orders to the real body

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Please supply the items on this purchase order from our university, on standard 30-day terms. Ship to the address below.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What to notice: A large order on credit from a 'trusted' body with unusual delivery details.

Steps if you already acted

  • Halt shipment if goods have not yet been sent
  • Contact the real organisation to confirm the order
  • Report the fraud and keep all documents
  • Review your credit-check process for new accounts

Common mistakes

  • Do not ship on credit without verifying the buyer
  • Do not use contact details printed on the order
  • Do not send goods to a mismatched address

Scams like this one

High risk Business

Payroll Diversion Scam

In this scam, fraudsters pose as an employee emailing HR or payroll to change their bank details, diverting the next salary payment to an account they control before the real worker notices.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Invoice Redirection Scam

In this scam, fraudsters posing as a supplier or contractor email that their bank details have changed, so your next invoice payment is diverted to the scammer's account instead of the genuine business.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Marketplace

Fake Supplier Scam

A fake wholesale or B2B supplier advertises bulk goods at prices that beat the market, then asks for payment by bank transfer. Some vanish after the first order, while others build trust with small, genuine deliveries before disappearing on a large one. Because bank transfers offer little recourse, recovering the money is often very difficult.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

How do I verify a purchase order?
Contact the organisation using details you find independently, confirm the order and delivery address, and be cautious with credit terms for new customers.
The order looked official. How is it fake?
Fraudsters copy logos and create lookalike email domains. Verify through independently found contacts, not the details on the order itself.
I shipped goods to a fake order. What now?
Try to halt the shipment, contact the real organisation, report the fraud, keep documents, and review your credit-check process.
Why impersonate universities or big firms?
Their reputation makes suppliers comfortable offering credit, so fraudsters can obtain goods and disappear before payment is due.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.