Independent freight forwarders around Europe are being targeted by a fraudulent scam conducted by fake or unscrupulous Chinese agents. Agents are being urged to ensure all due diligence is undertaken before entering commercial agreements with previously unknown partners.
The industry is used to being hit by hundreds of speculative emails from foreign agents offering cheap ocean rates and while most of these are ill-advised and often unprofessional, a number are used as cover for duping unsuspecting victims.
Several regional freight forwarding associations have brought the increasingly prevalent practice to light and highlighted the methods in which the scam operates.
BIFA (British International Freight Association) warned: “On face value these emails appear to be from independent forwarding companies looking for UK partners, by way of offering cheap ocean rates. The majority may be genuine but, for some, deep down there is criminal intent.
“Once an agreement is in place and business starts, all appears to be normal. This is until the cargo arrives at the UK port and no-one has received the original Bill of Lading. When contacted, the Chinese forwarder then demands a large ransom for the release of the original Bill of Lading.
“The dilemma for UK forwarders and their customers is whether to pay, knowing the pain and cost that comes with not having the original documentation.
“BIFA recommends diligence and advises that when entering into any form of agreement with an overseas partner, just asking for a signature on an agency agreement is not good enough.”
Releasing the cargo without the original Bill of Lading can lead to major problems and financial penalties and is to be avoided in all circumstances.
