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.
Quick verdict
What this scam usually looks like
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.
Example message pattern
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.
Red flags to watch for
- Prices that are well below the usual wholesale or market rate, framed as a limited stock or one-time deal.
- Strong pressure to pay quickly by bank transfer, while card payments, escrow or other traceable methods are discouraged or charged extra.
- A business that has little verifiable history, a recently created website, or contact only through free email and messaging apps.
- Small first orders that arrive fine, followed by a request for a much larger upfront payment on a bigger order.
- Vague or inconsistent company details, a registration number that does not match official records, or an address that cannot be confirmed.
What to do
- Independently verify the business through official company registers, and cross-check the address, phone number and registration number yourself.
- Use a traceable payment method such as a card or an escrow service for first orders, rather than a direct bank transfer.
- Start with a small test order and confirm delivery quality before committing to any large purchase.
- Search the company name alongside words like "scam" or "review" and look for independent feedback outside the supplier's own site.
If you already clicked or replied
- If you paid by bank transfer, contact your bank immediately and ask whether the payment can be recalled or frozen.
- Gather all evidence, including invoices, messages, the website address and payment details, in case you need to report it.
- Report the supplier to the relevant trading standards, consumer protection or fraud reporting body in your country.
- Warn any colleagues or contacts who may deal with the same supplier so they can pause before paying.
What not to do
- Do not send a large bank transfer based only on a few small successful orders building trust.
- Do not rely on company details the seller gives you without checking them against official sources.
- Do not let urgency or a limited-stock claim push you into paying before you have verified the supplier.
Similar scams
Fake Invoice Email Scam
This scam emails an invoice or receipt for something you did not buy, hoping you call a fake 'support' number or click a link to dispute it.
Fake Escrow Scam
In a high-value marketplace deal, the other party insists on a specific 'escrow' or 'secure payment' website to hold the funds, but the site is fake and simply collects your money or card details.
Liquidation Pallet Scam
This scam advertises cheap pallets of returned, overstock or electronics goods for resale. Buyers pay upfront through a fake liquidation website, but the pallets never arrive or contain near-worthless items rather than the valuable stock that was promised.
Frequently asked questions
How can a supplier seem real but still be a scam?
Why is a bank transfer risky for a first supplier order?
What should I check before paying a new wholesale supplier?
I already paid by transfer and heard nothing. What now?
Last reviewed: June 2026