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rocuring goods from China offers Nigerian businesses cost advantages, but the landscape is riddled with risks. Fraudulent suppliers, counterfeit products, and payment scams cost Nigerian importers over ₦12 billion annually, undermining trust and profitability. Many businesses fall victim to sophisticated schemes, such as fake factory listings on Alibaba or bait-and-switch tactics, where inferior goods replace ordered products.
The consequences extend beyond financial loss—delayed shipments, legal disputes, and reputational damage can cripple SMEs. A 2024 report by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce highlighted that 65% of first-time importers encounter scams, often due to inadequate supplier vetting. Navigating this minefield requires expertise, local knowledge, and robust safeguards.
At Bolbulk Cargo, we’ve developed a five-layer verification process to shield clients from procurement fraud. By combining technology, on-ground audits, and strategic partnerships, we ensure every supplier meets stringent quality and legitimacy standards. In this guide, we expose the most common scams and share actionable strategies to secure your supply chain.
Top Procurement Scams
Bait and Switch Scams
How It Works: Suppliers showcase high-quality samples but ship substandard goods.
Bolbulk’s Fix: Conduct pre-shipment inspections via our QC teams.
Ghost Factories
Red Flag: No verifiable factory address or refusal of virtual tours.
Solution: Use our vetted supplier network in Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Advance Payment Fraud
Risk: Suppliers disappear after receiving deposits.
Prevention: Use secure payment terms (30% deposit, 70% post-inspection).
Counterfeit Certifications
Example: Fake SONCAP or ISO certificates.
Verification: Cross-check documents via our compliance portal.
Overpayment Scams
Tactic: Fake “refund” requests to phish bank details.
Defense: Use Bolbulk’s escrow service for secure transactions.
Your Anti-Scam Checklist
Verify suppliers via Bolbulk’s Portal
Insist on third-party inspections.
Use secure payment methods.
Need a Safe Supplier?
Access Our Vetted List
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