Export Scam Alert: Fake “African Union / UN Development Commission” Order Targeting Indian Exporters
Indian exporters — especially MSMEs and new suppliers — are currently being targeted with a fraudulent international supply contract claiming to originate from a joint African Union and United Nations development body in Ghana.
One of our Gujarat based exporters recently received the following order enquiry for 30,000 KG Ghee supply with CIF shipment to Tema Port, Ghana.
At first glance, the order looks legitimate, structured, and even attractive.
In reality, it is a well-documented international trade scam designed to extract money from exporters before shipment.
This article explains exactly how the fraud works.
The Offer Looks Professional — That Is The Trap
The message includes:
• A director name and phone number
• A Ghana address
• Shipment terms (CIF)
• Inspection agency mention (SGS)
• Long-term supply promise
• Large order quantity
This is intentional.
Fraudsters do not send poorly written emails anymore — they simulate real procurement documentation to pass a quick credibility test.
First Technical Red Flag: Non-existent Organization
The buyer claims to represent:
African Union / United Nations Development Commission
There is no such procurement body.
International institutions never operate through hybrid names.
They procure only through official tender portals and registered vendor systems.
Whenever multiple global organizations appear combined into one entity — it is almost always a contract scam.
Second Red Flag: Free Email & WhatsApp Procurement
The quotation is requested to be sent to:
gmail account + generic domain + WhatsApp confirmation
Government agencies DO NOT onboard suppliers via WhatsApp calls or Gmail communication.
Real procurement requires:
• Tender reference number
• Bid security
• Vendor registration
• Compliance documentation
If none of these exist — the order is not real.
Third Red Flag: Payment Terms Designed For Fraud
The mail promises:
80% advance payment before productionThis is the psychological hook.
After you send quotation, the next steps usually happen:
1. Order approval mail
2. Contract document issued
3. Registration department contacts you
4. You are asked to pay certification / approval / vendor registration fee
No legitimate international buyer asks a supplier to pay approval charges.
That is where exporters lose money.
The SGS Inspection Trick
The message mentions inspection at port by SGS.
In fraudulent contracts, exporters later receive email from a fake inspection officer requesting:
“File activation fee”
“Inspection authorization fee”
Inspection agencies never collect random pre-shipment payments directly from suppliers in unsolicited tenders.
Commercial Logic Failure (Why This Order Cannot Exist)
A government food import of dairy products requires:
• Health import permit
• Product registration
• Label approval
• Shelf life certification
• Veterinary compliance
None of these were requested.
Instead, only invoice was requested.
That alone confirms the buyer is not real.
What Happens If You Continue Communication
Typical outcome observed across hundreds of similar cases:
Exporter becomes emotionally committed to large order
Then receives multiple small payment requests
Total loss ranges from ₹25,000 to ₹4,50,000
Buyer disappears permanently
No goods are ever shipped.
How Real Government Buyers Actually Procure
Authentic international institutional procurement always includes:
• Public tender listing
• Procurement reference ID
• Official domain communication
• Bid submission deadline
• Technical evaluation stage
If a buyer directly sends you a ready purchase order — it is not procurement.
It is solicitation.
Practical Advice For Exporters
Before responding to any foreign order:
Verify organization existence
Check domain age
Confirm via embassy commercial office
Never call numbers given in the email itself
Never pay approval or registration charges
Large orders do not come without qualification process.
Why Many Exporters Still Fall For It
Because the fraud targets a very specific psychology:
New exporter + first big order + international institution name
The opportunity feels rare.
So verification gets skipped.
Fraudsters depend on that moment.
A Safer Approach To International Buyers
Instead of reacting to random incoming orders, exporters should work through verified trade leads, screened buyers, and documented procurement channels.
Structured verification dramatically reduces risk exposure in cross-border trade — especially for first-time exporters.
Many businesses only realize this after facing their first scam attempt.
Final Note : If you receive similar orders involving:
Government projects
UN supply programs
Aid procurement
Large food supply contracts
Treat them as high-risk until independently verified.
In international trade, the costliest mistake is not a rejected shipment —
it is trusting an unverified buyer.
Stay informed. Stay verified.
— The Exim Times
