A Guide for Contractors and Companies: Avoiding Fraud When Buying Building Materials Online
Warning signs to watch for
Prices that sit far below the market average, pressure to pay the full amount upfront by bank transfer, and a reluctance to share a commercial registration number are the three most common signals of a fraudulent supplier.
Be equally cautious of sellers who only communicate through personal WhatsApp numbers with no company email, website, or verifiable address.
Safeguards before you pay
Verify the supplier's commercial registration through the Ministry of Commerce before placing a large order, and where possible, use a platform or escrow arrangement that releases payment only after delivery is confirmed.
For first-time suppliers, start with a small trial order rather than committing your full project quantity in one purchase.
What to do if something feels wrong
Pause the transaction, document every message and invoice, and report the account to the platform or authority you sourced it through. Acting early gives you the best chance of recovering funds or stopping a shipment before it's too late.