Common Online Scams: Import Scams

Some persons lose their cash because they are greedy. Other people are just naïve and do not realize that tricksters have developed many new ways of separating people and their cash.

It always pays to be on the alert. Unfortunately, we live in a world where the strong often try to take advantage of those they perceive as being weaker or unaware of what is going on. Once they do this successfully once or twice, they continue with it.

The scam truck (Photo credit: jepoirrier)

If something seems too good to be true, check it. Common online scams offer consumers previously unheard of opportunities to make cash, turn a profit or access goods and services. They often exploit weaknesses in a system to their own ends. For example Western Union scams exploit the fact that in some situations, you do not need an ID to collect funds that have been sent by WU.

In some instances, you only need an identification number with WU. This feature has benefits for legitimate customers but it can be misused by criminals. Even in situations where an ID is necessary these con artists simply create a fake one.

Import Scams: Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs Watch Out!

With import scams, con artists pose as individuals who are looking to buy goods to resell in their own country. They will ask an enthusiastic exporter for samples of what they have to sell. Once they have these, they will usually be quite positive about the merchandise and immediately order a large quantity. If they do not disappear after that, they will send payment in the form of a bogus cheque.

Fall guy (Photo credit: Dizzy-one)

This should be a signal that something is off. Most legitimate business people will not order a large quantity of goods in the first instance. They will test the market first. They also want to see how the other party operates. Never send off goods to somebody you don’t know and have never seen, who lives or works thousands of miles away.

These persons frequently ask to be paid fees for registering your company in their home country. They usually ask for these fees to be sent via WU. This is because when they do this, the authorities will have a harder time finding them.

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Online scams report