Resources · Sourcing in China
7 common sourcing scams in China and how to prevent them
Fake factories, swapped goods, payment to personal accounts, samples that don't match bulk, phishing emails changing bank details: the most common sourcing scams and how to guard against each.
About 2 min readContent checked on
The most common sourcing scams are: shell companies posing as factories, demands to pay a personal account, hacked emails changing bank details, good samples but poor bulk goods, low prices to lure you in followed by increases, inferior goods substituted, and suppliers disappearing after payment. The core defences are verifying the entity, paying only company accounts, sealing an approved sample and inspecting before shipment.
Information updated: 2026-10-03
7 scams
| Scam | Typical signs | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Shell company | Abnormally low price; no company registration found | Check the business licence and unified social credit code |
| Payment to a personal account | Claims the company account is "temporarily unavailable" | Pay only into a company account matching the contracting party |
| Email bank-detail change | A sudden email saying the bank account has changed | Confirm by phone or video with a contact you know |
| Sample doesn't match bulk | Fine sample, rough bulk goods | Seal the approved sample; inspect before shipment |
| Low price, then price increase | Price raised after ordering, blamed on raw material costs | State price and validity in the contract |
| Inferior goods substituted | Material, weight or specs swapped | Specify material and specs in the contract; measure during inspection |
| Disappears after payment | No reply after full payment | Pay in instalments, with the balance after inspection |
The three most effective habits
- Always check the receiving account once more before paying, and confirm any change by phone.
- On a first order, pay only the deposit; pay the balance after the goods pass inspection.
- Keep a written record of every agreement: quotation, proforma invoice, contract, chat history.