It started when a customer contacted Rein to order containers for a construction project in Höganäs. The customer seemed trustworthy and provided all the necessary contact details. He checked the company’s credit rating through Creditsafe, and everything seemed legitimate.
“I thought I did what I could, the customer seemed adequate and had construction projects in different places. I sent drawings and everything seemed okay.” Rein says.
Suspicions began to grow when the invoice was not paid. Rein then called the phone number he had, but it was a disconnected number and no one answered the email. “The subscriber cannot be reached” was the only reply.
It turned out that the scammer had also used a legitimate company name. The real owner called him back after Rein sent a registered letter to the company address. The person at the company told him that he had not ordered anything. The real company had later registered on Creditsafe that they had been defrauded, but this was at a later stage.
The delivery of the containers had been carried out by an external freight company, which informed Rein afterward that the recipient of the goods did not seem entirely adequate. The shipping company had a signature on the waybill, but a signature is unfortunately easy to fake.
Both Rein and the affected company have reported the case to the police. Rein is now hoping that the shipping company may have some additional information, such as film from the scene, that could help in the investigation.
This case highlights risks that can arise even when following all recommended security measures. Fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated and companies need to be extra vigilant and consider additional verification methods.
“I could not imagine that someone would hijack the identity of a company in this way,” Rein concludes.
Rein’s experience is a warning to all business owners to be extra careful and always double-check their customers’ details. Trade Partners Sweden can help our members with legal questions that may arise in similar cases. Our federal lawyer Anna-Karin Abdon, and other experts, are available via our form for urgent advice: https://www.tradepartnerssweden.se/medlemskap/akut-radgivning/ if members have any legal questions.