Supplier fraud or a quality dispute?
A late shipment or defective batch alone does not establish fraud. Record exactly what the supplier represented, what contradicts it and how it affected your payment. Preserve originals, seek advice and report suspected fraud without assuming recovery. Cambridge China Bridge can help check supplier facts through its staff in China.
Start with the contradiction, not the accusation
Separate the failed promise from evidence suggesting deception. Missed delivery, poor workmanship or an unresolved refund can arise from an ordinary commercial dispute. A shipment confirmation contradicted by the named carrier, or a report disowned by its supposed issuer, gives you a specific concern to investigate. Neither proves who was responsible or what they intended.
A matching company bank account does not settle the question; an unexpected account does not prove fraud either. Record the discrepancy and seek an explanation through a previously verified contact. Our scam prevention guide covers checks before payment; this guide concerns how to document a problem afterwards.
Build a record of representations and evidence
For each concern, record the exact statement, who made it, when, through which account and which order it concerned. Add what you did in reliance on it, such as paying a deposit or releasing the balance. Beside it, identify the contradictory evidence, its source and anything still unknown. Keep observations separate from your interpretation.
Ask neutral, specific questions: which carrier accepted the goods, which batch was inspected, or who authorised the beneficiary change? Save the reply and any revised explanation. Check directly with the named issuer using independently obtained contact details. Our audit and inspection report comparison explains why a genuine report may still leave important facts unproven.
Preserve originals before organising the case
Keep original emails with headers and attachments, full chat exports, quotations, order terms, specification revisions, inspection files and bank payment confirmations. Save screenshots as supporting context rather than substitutes for the underlying files. Preserve the original language; keep translations and annotated copies separately. Record when and how you obtained each item.
Keep a protected backup and limit access to the people handling the matter. Retain suspect goods, packaging and identified samples where practical, with photographs showing their condition and batch markings. Record any testing or movement. Do not overwrite originals, crop away context or delete messages that weaken your interpretation.
Seek advice while managing the commercial dispute
If money may have been diverted, contact your bank or payment provider promptly through a known channel and ask what action is possible. Do not assume a recall will succeed. Ask a solicitor experienced in business supply disputes to review the contract, evidence, payment position and proposed correspondence before making allegations or deciding to withhold an amount due.
Keep the quality or delivery complaint moving separately: specify the failure, supporting evidence and remedy you are requesting. Ask your adviser about applicable deadlines and any insurer or platform notification. Our faulty goods guide covers the commercial claim. A factual supplier check can support that work; it cannot determine criminal responsibility.
Report suspected fraud without promising recovery
For England, Wales and Northern Ireland, use Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud. Reports can be made through its online service or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, report fraud to Police Scotland by calling 101. Find the current reporting details through the UK government's fraud guidance, rather than a link or telephone number sent by someone offering recovery.
Prepare a concise chronology, the representations and contradictions, identities used, payment details, loss information and an index of preserved files. Explain uncertainty and any supplier response, and retain the acknowledgement and reference provided. Treat reporting and attempts to recover money as separate tasks. Do not assume that making a report will produce an investigation, repayment or a successful commercial claim.
Frequently asked questions
Is a late Chinese supplier automatically a fraudster?
No. Record the missed commitment, ask for evidence of the explanation and distinguish delay from a specific representation contradicted by reliable evidence.
What evidence should I keep for suspected supplier fraud?
Keep original emails, complete chats, attachments, order terms and payment records. Pair each disputed statement with contradictory evidence, its source and what remains unknown.
Should I report to Action Fraud or Report Fraud?
Report Fraud has replaced Action Fraud. Use Report Fraud for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; in Scotland, report to Police Scotland.
Will reporting supplier fraud get my deposit back?
Do not assume repayment. Contact your bank promptly and seek advice on recovery options while preserving evidence and pursuing the commercial complaint.