At the beginning of April 2008, the German company Supra-Solar* offers a limited quantity of thin-layer modules amounting to nearly 400 kWp from a well-known American manufacturer at a very good price, the goods being in store in Germany. A total of seven different companies contact Supra-Solar and agree terms on part delivery. The goods apparently come from a well-known wholesaler, who acts as distributor for the brand manufacturer in Germany.
Changed conditions and initial delays
Delivery of the modules is arranged for calendar week 18. Supra-Solar demands 100 per cent prepayment from its customers, otherwise the wholesaler will not supply the goods. Prepayment is made, but in some cases not to Supra-Solar but rather to the pre-supplier direct. This pre-supplier contacts the potential purchasers, introduces itself as Niederfels GmbH*, a name that had not previously been mentioned. By the end of May around 900,000 euros had been credited to the supplier's bank account. The deal appears to go well, but due to delays in payment delivery will not be before calendar week 21. The modules are now not in store in Germany, but had to be imported from the USA.
A seller of good repute
Time passes by, but no-one is really concerned. Supra-Solar had previously traded successfully and reliably, and was known as a company that usually installed plant but, in the case of favourable opportunities, also bought and resold modules. The manager of Supra-Solar was always friendly and obliging. Business information obtained, as a precaution, concerning both companies is not first-rate but gives no reason to doubt the respectability of the business partners. All information in the contracts appears to be consistent. One is dealing with an experienced service engineer and dealer.
Delivery is not made
Initial part deliveries are not made on time. The purchasers presume that a slight delay is involved on the part of the pre-supplier, as often occurs in the industry. Supra-Solar feels unable to handle the situation and refers customers to the pre-supplier. The Niederfels company has apparently been trading in solar modules for only a short period of time. Lack of knowledge of certain facts on the part of the company's manager attracts suspicion.
Niederfels puts off delivery until the 8th of June. The new delivery date has already passed when Niederfels admits that it cannot be met, and a new delivery date is set for a week later. The goods have "inadvertently been shipped to the wrong port". When the managers of both Supra-Solar and Niederfels then no longer react to inquiries and cut off communication with customers, the cheated purchasers contact the police. Unfortunately, too late. Niederfels' bank accounts have been cleared out and the company's manager has disappeared.
Without security measures an easy game
This procedure is so successful because the names of experienced and dependable companies in the solar industry are used to create trust on the part of customers. In addition, products are offered that are rare and therefore much sought-after.
The fraudsters are aware that there is presently great readiness in the photovoltaic industry to forego security measures. Nearly all the victims made full payment in advance for the goods they ordered. The Niederfels company had an easy job of getting rich by criminal means. Some of the defrauded companies are now on the verge of ruin.
*Names have been changed. Similarities with existing persons or companies are purely coincidental and therefore not intended. Circumstances have been simplified in part or presented exemplarily.