Supplier red flags that mean you should walk away

Not every yellow flag is fraud. A cluster of critical ones — especially with urgency to pay — is a reason to stop, not negotiate harder.

Domain younger than the story

A site claiming decades of export on a months-old domain is a classic mismatch. Ask for archived evidence and a license that predates the domain.

Brand ≠ bank beneficiary

If the homepage brand, copyright entity, and invoice company differ without a clear group structure, do not wire until names align in writing.

Residential or virtual “plant”

Map pins in apartments or coworking suites are not proof of a fake company — but they are incompatible with a large tooling deposit until you see a real facility.

Pressure off-platform

Requests to abandon Trade Assurance, escrow, or LC “to save fees” after a thin dossier should end the conversation.