Avoid Getting Scammed Paying China Suppliers — 7 Red Flags
Nigerian importers lose millions of naira to China payment scams every year. Learn how to spot the red flags before you send.
Important: The scams described in this article are real and common. If you're unsure about a supplier or payment request, contact Raiz's support team before sending money.
The Scale of the Problem
China-Nigeria trade fraud is a significant and growing problem. The most common scams target Nigerian importers who are trying to pay Chinese suppliers informally — through WhatsApp brokers, personal bank accounts, or untraceable channels.
Using a regulated payment platform like Raiz Finance significantly reduces your exposure to these scams because all transactions are verified, documented, and routed to verified business accounts.
Here are the 7 biggest red flags to watch for:
They ask you to pay a "freight agent" or "third party" instead of the supplier
Legitimate suppliers always accept payment directly to their business account or AliPay. If someone redirects you to pay a "broker," "agent," or "logistics partner" you've never dealt with, this is a major red flag.
The payment account name doesn't match the supplier's business name
Always verify that the name on the receiving bank account or AliPay matches the registered business name you're dealing with. Discrepancies almost always indicate fraud.
They only accept cash transfers or crypto for "tax reasons"
Any supplier requesting crypto or untraceable cash transfers "to avoid taxes" is likely a scammer. Legitimate businesses have proper accounts.
Prices that are impossibly low
If a supplier is offering products at 40–60% below market price, they're likely either selling counterfeit goods or planning to take your deposit and disappear.
No verifiable business registration
All legitimate Chinese businesses have a Business License (营业执照). Ask for it. You can verify it on China's National Enterprise Credit System (gsxt.gov.cn).
Urgent payment pressure with "limited stock" or "expiring prices"
High-pressure tactics to make you send money quickly without time to verify are a classic fraud pattern. Legitimate suppliers give you time to do due diligence.
Contact only through WeChat, no formal business communication
Professional Chinese suppliers communicate via email and provide official documents. If all interaction is only through WeChat with no paper trail, proceed with extreme caution.
How to Verify a Chinese Supplier Before Paying
- Request the Business License (营业执照) — Every legitimate Chinese company has one. Cross-reference the name on it with the payment account name.
- Verify on China's enterprise database — Use gsxt.gov.cn (National Enterprise Credit System) to verify registration status.
- Use escrow for first orders — Alibaba's Trade Assurance service holds funds until goods are confirmed shipped. Use it for first-time suppliers.
- Pay through a regulated platform — Using Raiz Finance creates a documented payment trail. Our AliPay and WeChat payment flows verify the recipient account before funds are sent.
- Start with a small test order — Before placing a large order, do a small test to verify the supplier delivers what was promised.
What to Do If You've Been Scammed
If you've already sent money to a suspected scammer, act immediately:
- Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to request a payment recall
- File a report with the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission)
- Report to the Chinese embassy's economic section if the transaction is recent
- Document all communication — screenshots of WhatsApp, WeChat, emails
Pay Chinese Suppliers Safely Through Raiz
All Raiz AliPay and WeChat payments verify the recipient account before sending. Documented. Regulated. Safe.