German wholesalers hit by six-figure losses from new solar module scam
From pv magazine Germany
The German solar industry faces a recurring scam in which fraudsters, using false identities, order solar modules and then vanish without paying for them. The scam primarily affects wholesalers. One victim has reported six-figure losses to pv magazine, and police have confirmed that there is an ongoing investigation.
The imposters create convincing websites mimicking legitimate companies, often targeting community energy projects that lack detailed online presences. A listed phone number connects to a seemingly professional secretariat, enhancing their credibility.
Orders are placed on accounts with standard payment terms. Internal trade credit insurance checks validate the creditworthiness of the new customers, as the provided company names exist in the commercial register, leading to approval for delivery.
Shortly after, shipping companies collect the goods, but payments are never received, and both the customer and the ordered products disappear. Trade credit insurance entities usually identify the fraudulent transactions, but typically they do not cover such cases, according to the affected parties.
Often, the stolen goods are resold. Shipping companies then deliver these panels directly to unsuspecting buyers who believe they have secured bargains. Under German law, purchasing stolen goods in good faith does not lead to criminal charges, but buyers cannot claim rightful ownership.
If wholesalers locate their PV modules, they can demand their return. Potential buyers therefore need to verify the identities and trustworthiness of sellers, especially when purchasing modules from trading platforms.
The affected wholesalers have identified 11 such fraudulent identities. Despite increased caution, preventing repeated incidents has been challenging, resulting in the theft of three truckloads of PV modules.
The wholesalers require advance payments for initial orders from new customers, which is problematic in a competitive market. However, even this has been ineffective, as the fraudsters have been paying for initial orders to build trust, and then request new payment terms for subsequent orders, which they exploit to commit fraud.
To stop such crimes, wholesalers must now employ stricter measures, including using internet archiving services to check the histories of new customers' websites. This helps determine if a company's website was created shortly before initial contact, which is a potential red flag.
Wholesalers should also check new customers' contact details. Frequent changes or recent entries could indicate fraudulent intentions. Additionally, wholesalers have started visiting new customers in person to verify their identities and assess the legitimacy of their companies.
Chief Inspector Hella Christoph from the police in Bielefeld, Germany, has told pv magazine that the scams are not isolated incidents and have affected numerous wholesalers across the country.
Our main informant is now networking with other affected wholesalers and is inviting affected companies to get in touch. This can be done via the email address betrugsfall2025@gmail.com, which is not managed by the pv magazine editorial team.
Customized/OEM/ODM Service
HomSolar Supports Lifepo4 battery pack customization/OEM/ODM service, welcome to contact us and tell us your needs.
HomSolar: Your One-stop LiFePO4 Battery Pack & ESS Solution Manufacturer
Our line of LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries offer a solution to demanding applications that require a lighter weight, longer life, and higher capacity battery. Features include advanced battery management systems (BMS), Bluetooth® communication and active intelligent monitoring.
Customised Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Casing
ABS plastic housing, aluminium housing, stainless steel housing and iron housing are available, and can also be designed and customised according to your needs.
HomSolar Smart BMS
Intelligent Battery Management System for HomSolar Energy Storage System. Bluetooth, temperature sensor, LCD display, CAN interface, UART interface also available.
Terminals & Plugs Can Be Customized
A wide range of terminals and plugs can be customised to suit the application needs of your battery products.
Well-designed Solutions for Energy Storage Systems
We will design the perfect energy storage system solution according to your needs, so that you can easily solve the specific industry applications of battery products.
About Our Battery Cells
Our energy storage system products use brand new grade A LiFePO4 cells with a battery lifespan of more than 4,000 charge/discharge cycles.
Applications in Different Industries
We supply customized & OEM battery pack, assemble cells with wiring, fuse and plastic cover, all the cell wires connected to PCB plug or built BMS.
Applications: E-bike, Electric Scooter, Golf Carts, RV, Electric Wheelchair, Electric Tools, Robot Cleaner, Robot Sweeper, Solar Energy Storage System, Emergency Light, Solar Power Light, Medical Equipment, UPS Backup Power Supply.
We can provide you with customized services. We have the ability to provide a vertical supply chain, from single cells to pack/module and to a complete power solution with BMS, etc.
HomSolar (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd
