Market Intelligence
Trade Development Trade Practices

Qatar Beware of Business Scams

The Commercial Service Office in Qatar has witnessed an uptick in U.S. companies receiving unsolicited buyer requests or loan offers from contacts claiming to represent businesses in the State of Qatar. To avoid scams, U.S. companies should not send any money to the organization nor travel to Qatar to attend meetings without first undertaking due diligence.  

Common Scam Tactics

  • To gain your confidence, scammers claim to represent a trustworthy authority, such as the government or A  well-known company, even though they may use a personal email address.
  • Scammers frequently create fake social media profiles, use AI-powered tools to clone genuine websites, and claim to be in Qatar or represent Qatari companies. 
  • They insist that your senior executive travel as soon as possible to sign a contract.
  • Scammers frequently request payment via wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
  • Last-minute adjustments involving third-party payment processors are a significant indicator of potential fraud.
  • They instill a sense of urgency by threatening penalties or legal action, pressuring you to act without hesitation.
  • If one or more of these characteristics sound familiar, be cautious and conduct thorough due diligence on the company.

Protect Your Business 

  • Ask for trade references, including the contact details of other American businesses with which the Qatar company has partnered, and then contact those references.
  • Request a copy of the company’s current and valid business license.
  • Ask which Chambers of Commerce they are listed with.
  • If the local company is unwilling to provide those details, that would be suspicious. 
  • If you experience any of these “red flags,” you should immediately stop communicating.

Order a Due Diligence Report 

If you believe you have a credible export opportunity, you can contact the U.S. Commercial Service to order an International Company Profile, a general background report on a specific foreign company.  That report can help determine if the export opportunity is genuine.  To request this report or ask other questions, please contact your local U.S. Export Assistance Center.