Patterns, not proof
No single red flag proves fraud. But experienced importers know that bad deals announce themselves early — in how a supplier communicates, not in what they promise.
The ten flags
- Bank account in a personal name or a different company name.
- Prices 30%+ below every competitor — the discount is the bait.
- Refuses video calls from the production floor.
- Cannot name their export markets or provide references.
- Pushes for full payment upfront and resists any escrow or staging.
- Certificates that cannot be verified with the issuing body.
- Address is a residential area or a virtual office.
- Urgency pressure — this price expires today is a manipulation tool.
- Spec sheets avoided — everything is no problem, no details given.
- Communication only via personal email or messaging apps, never a company domain.
How often each flag appears in reported fraud
:::chart Frequency in reported B2B fraud cases
Personal bank account | 41
Below-market pricing | 36
Unverifiable certificates | 28
Urgency pressure | 24
No video verification | 22
:::
What to do when you see one
- One flag: investigate — ask the direct question.
- Two flags: verify independently — audit, registry check, references.
- Three flags: walk away. There is always another supplier.
> You cannot verify your way into a good deal with a bad actor. The flag is the answer.
Verification is built in
Prebro profiles surface verification status, company documents, and buyer reviews up front — and payments stay protected inside the deal until milestones are met.