I've been reading the postings on this forum and most cases are about scammers from China who are suppliers.


In my case, I am the supplier from North America and was contacted by a Chinese trading company who wanted to buy huge quantities of one of my products. They even asked for sample swatches, which I sent them.  Then they came back and said they wanted to go forward with the order.


I was a little leary from the beginning, given the large quantity involved. So, I suggested doing a smaller order first to establish a bonafide relationship between two companies. They didn't agree to it, saying it's not profitable for them.


Then they said that I would have to go to China to sign the contract in person.  I disagreed on this saying that in this day and age of technology, we dind't need to meet. Our lawyers and banks can handle the transaction.  This was not acceptable to them.


The scam, from what I've been advised by the trade commission office here, is that they will want me to spend a lot of money in China, make me buy expensive gifts saying it's customary, and more.  I'm pretty convinced that this is a scam as they seem to be inflexible about the issue of not going to China. 


Any thoughts from anyone?


Any suggestions on how to detect a scam from the very beginning?


Thanks.

Quoting from [cautioustrader]:


 . They didn't agree to it, saying it's not profitable for them.

  

The best way to check a Chinese scammer is to ask them directly for their Business License and Import or Export License, then contact local officials and check them out before further discussion. As far as I know, most of them use Fake officials documents or they do not registere at local government authorities at all.