Sourcy
Sourcy
For brands & brand aggregators

Red Flags & Sourcing Scams: How Sourcy Protects Your Brand

Sourcing from Asia unlocks margins but exposes brands to scams and fake factories. Sourcy builds verification and risk checks into every project.

Submit Request
Supplier screening

Risk assessment dashboard

Factory Alpha Co.

No export license

Rejected

Beta Manufacturing

Full verification

Verified

Gamma Trading Ltd

Suspicious payment terms

Rejected

Suppliers screened this month

147

Why Sourcing Scams Are a Real Risk

Modern scams look like polished profiles and attractive quotes. You need a structured way to spot red flags early.

Broken launch calendar

Missed launches from non-delivered orders

Defective products

Bulk that doesn't match samples

Lost deposits

Factories vanishing after payment

Five Supplier Red Flags to Watch For

Common warning signs when sourcing from open marketplaces or random agents.

How Brands Get Scammed

Real patterns from brands sourcing without verification.

Too Cheap To Be Real

An Amazon brand found a supplier 40% below market. No registration, but high ratings. After a large deposit, delays mounted and the shipped product failed safety requirements. Most inventory was written off.

The Vanishing Supplier

A brand aggregator sent payment to a personal account for rush packaging. No contract, no verification. The supplier vanished. Launch delayed by months with major losses.

Perfect Sample, Bad Bulk

A perfect sample arrived, but the team skipped capacity checks. Bulk shipment had different materials, weak construction, and defects. Supplier refused to remake.

How Sourcy Protects Your Supply Chain

Plug into our verification framework instead of guessing.

Supplier verification first

We run legal, operational, and export checks before introducing any factory. Registration, history, and references are verified upfront.

Sampling and QC as standard

Proper samples, spec sheets, and production plans required. Third-party inspections for higher risk categories.

Structured payment terms

We help structure deposits and milestones that reduce risk. No full upfront payment to unverified suppliers.

Ongoing monitoring

We track defect rates, lead times, and communication across suppliers. Early warnings trigger intervention.

How We've Vetted Your Products

Sourcy team member inspecting product samples at factory warehouse
Quality control check of product samples at supplier facility
Packaged products ready for shipment after quality verification

Scam Prevention Checklist

Sourcy turns sourcing from Asia into a structured system so you skip the trial and error.

  • Verify company registration beyond profile pages
  • Check export history and main markets
  • Request samples and document approved specs
  • Structure deposits and milestones, avoid 100% upfront
  • Watch for inconsistent communication
  • Use independent QC for high-value products
  • Maintain a shortlist of backup suppliers

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Source Safely?

Get a structured way to verify suppliers and protect your supply chain.

Submit Request
    Red Flags & Sourcing Scams | How Sourcy Protects Your Brand