Stay Safe: How to Spot Trade Scams

Last reviewed: September 27, 2026

Most buyers and suppliers are genuine, but international trade attracts scammers and money launderers. Fromerica screens users against U.S. sanctions lists and warns the recipient when a message shows common warning signs, but no automatic check catches everything. These are the signs U.S. authorities tell businesses to watch for.

1. Warning signs

Overpayment: the buyer "accidentally" pays more and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment is often reversed later.
Third-party payments: payment will come from, or must be sent to, a company or person that is not part of the deal.
Changed bank details: an email says the other party's bank account has changed. This is the most common business email compromise.
Unusual payment methods: cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfer services instead of a bank transfer or letter of credit.
Fees in advance: you are asked to pay a "registration", "certificate", "customs release" or similar fee to receive an order. Fromerica never charges fees to receive buyers or quotes.
Too good to be true: a buyer accepts your first price at once, ignores specifications and delivery terms, or pushes you to ship urgently.
Mismatched documents: invoices, shipping documents and the goods described do not match, prices are far above or below market, or goods are routed through countries with no logical reason. These are classic signs of trade-based money laundering.
Free email only: a "large importer" that uses only a free email address and has no verifiable website or company registration.

2. How to protect yourself

Verify the company: its official website and domain email, its registration in its home country, and a video call with the people you deal with.
Screen the buyer and the destination with our free restricted-party screening, and check the export rules for your product.
Use secure payment terms, such as payment in advance by bank transfer or a letter of credit confirmed by your bank; ask your bank or the Export-Import Bank of the United States about trade finance and credit insurance.
Confirm any change of bank details by phone, using a number you already had, never one in the same email.
Never refund an overpayment until your bank confirms the funds are final, and never pay fees to receive an order.

3. Report it

To Fromerica: use the "Report" option on the listing or write to info@fromerica.com with the subject "Fraud report". We review every report and may suspend accounts.
To the U.S. Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
To the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, especially for business email compromise and wire fraud: ic3.gov. If money was just sent, call your bank immediately to try to stop the transfer.

This page is general information, not legal or financial advice.