Counterfeit Goods via Wire Transfer
How counterfeit and bulk-goods scammers demand wire transfers for fake products that arrive substandard or never.
Part of: Counterfeit Goods
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Counterfeit-goods scams targeting larger or 'wholesale' orders often demand bank wire transfers. The seller poses as a supplier or distributor offering branded products in bulk at low prices, then takes a wire transfer for goods that are counterfeit, substandard, or never shipped.
Wire transfers settle quickly and are hard to reverse, which is why scammers favor them for bigger orders that avoid card protections. Verifying a supplier before wiring funds is essential, especially for branded or bulk purchases.
How this scam works on wire transfer
A buyer, sometimes a small reseller, finds a supplier offering branded goods in bulk far below normal wholesale. The supplier requests a wire transfer to confirm the order, citing supplier policy.
The buyer wires funds. Counterfeit or substandard goods arrive, a partial shipment comes, or nothing is delivered. Follow-up requests for 'shipping' or 'customs' wires may follow.
The wired funds, sent to an account the scammer controls, are forwarded quickly. Recovery is difficult, and any goods received are fake and potentially illegal to resell.
Common red flags
- A supplier demands a wire transfer for bulk branded goods
- Wholesale prices far below normal for the brand
- No verifiable company registration or authorized-distributor status
- Additional wires requested for shipping or customs
- Pressure to wire quickly to 'secure stock'
- Reluctance to provide samples or verifiable references
How to protect yourself
- Verify any supplier's registration and authorized-distributor status before wiring
- Be skeptical of branded goods priced far below wholesale
- Avoid wiring funds to unverified suppliers
- Request verifiable samples and references for bulk orders
- If you wired funds, contact your bank immediately to attempt a recall
- Source branded products only through authorized channels
How to report it
- Report to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or your local equivalent
- Contact your bank's fraud department to attempt a wire recall
- Report counterfeit sourcing to the brand owner and relevant authorities
Frequently asked questions
How do I vet a wholesale supplier before wiring funds?
Confirm the company's registration, verify authorized-distributor status with the brand, request samples and checkable references, and start with a small protected payment if possible. Avoid wiring large sums to suppliers you cannot independently verify.