Is a person I met at a hotel or airport who offers a business deal trustworthy?
Use the same caution you would with any stranger. In-person approaches with business proposals are used in confidence tricks and advance-fee fraud.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Confidence fraud ('con tricks') include in-person approaches where a well-dressed, credible-seeming stranger strikes up a conversation and eventually introduces a business opportunity, an investment, a gem deal, or a request to help move money. These are structured scripts refined over generations. The stranger may have a convincing backstory, an impressive-looking office or hotel suite, and accomplices who reinforce the credibility. No genuine business deal is initiated by a chance encounter with a stranger who then pressures you to commit money before leaving. Always conduct any business through verifiable channels and take time to consult independently before any financial commitment.
Common red flags
- Stranger approaches you with a seemingly fortuitous business opportunity
- Deal requires a commitment or deposit before you have had time to verify
- The business cannot be verified through public records or professional registers
- Others in the group reinforce the credibility of the stranger
What to do now
- Never commit money during an initial encounter with a stranger
- Take time to independently verify any business claim
- Consult a trusted adviser before making any financial decision
- Report the approach to local police if you believe you were targeted
Frequently asked questions
Are there any genuine business deals that start with a chance encounter?
Very few. Genuine business relationships develop through verifiable introductions, professional networks, or due diligence processes. A stranger approaching you cold with an opportunity requiring immediate money is almost never legitimate.