Fake suppliers cost meat importers millions every year. Most scams follow the same pattern: a price that is too good, pressure to pay fast and a bank account that does not match the seller. These checks protect you.
The 10 checks
- Find the company on the official register. For a UK company, search Companies House; for others, the national register.
- Match the name. The seller on the contract, the invoice and the bank account must be the same legal entity.
- Check the email domain. Free email addresses and look-alike domains are a red flag.
- Call a number you found independently. Never rely only on the phone number in the email.
- Verify the plant. Ask for the SIF number and check it on the official lists for your country (e.g. GACC for China).
- Be wary of prices far below the market.
- Never pay upfront "fees" for allocation, documents or soft offers.
- Prefer secure payment terms — pay a deposit only after you have verified the vessel booking with the carrier, and the balance on arrival.
- Use independent inspection at loading (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek).
- Treat any change of bank details as fraud until confirmed by phone.
How we make it easy
MARYTHUR LTD is registered at Companies House under number 16675563, we email only from @marythurfoods.com and we accept payment only to MARYTHUR LTD at HSBC UK. Read our payment and buyer-security rules.
