Fake Suppliers on LinkedIn
Scammers build professional LinkedIn profiles and company pages to pose as suppliers, win the trust of buyers, and take payment for goods that never arrive.
Part of: Fake Supplier Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
LinkedIn lends an air of professional credibility that fake supplier scams exploit. A polished profile, a company page, and a network of connections can make a fictitious vendor look like an established business, encouraging buyers to engage and ultimately to pay.
Because LinkedIn is built for business relationships, an approach from a supplier there feels natural and trustworthy. Buyers seeking new sources, or responding to a confident outreach message, may extend credibility to a profile that has no genuine company behind it.
How this scam works on LinkedIn
The fake supplier creates a convincing personal profile and an associated company page, populated with logos, product descriptions, and plausible details. They connect with buyers and procurement staff, then open conversations offering attractive pricing or solving a sourcing need.
After moving the discussion to email or a messaging app, they provide quotations and request an upfront payment or deposit. The professional context of LinkedIn, combined with a curated profile, reassures the buyer that the supplier is established and reliable.
Once payment is sent, the promised goods do not arrive and the supplier becomes unresponsive. The profile and page may then disappear or be repurposed, leaving the buyer with a loss and a counterpart that proves hard to trace.
Common red flags
- A supplier profile or company page created very recently with sparse history
- Few genuine connections or engagement despite claims of an established firm
- An unsolicited offer of unusually competitive pricing
- A quick push to move the conversation off LinkedIn and pay a deposit
- Stock or mismatched photos used for staff and products
- Vague answers about company registration, address, or references
How to protect yourself
- Independently verify the company's registration and trading history
- Cross-check the profile against the supplier's official website and contacts
- Start with a small order and confirm delivery before larger commitments
- Request verifiable trade references and follow them up
- Avoid large upfront payments to an unproven supplier
- Confirm details through an independently found phone number
How to report it
- Report the fake profile or company page using LinkedIn's reporting tools
- File a report with your national fraud or cybercrime authority
- Notify your bank or payment provider to attempt recovery
Frequently asked questions
A supplier on LinkedIn looks professional. Does that make them legitimate?
A polished profile and company page can be created in minutes and prove nothing on their own. Verify the company through official registration records, confirm an address, and check independent references before placing a paid order.