The business partner who became a creditor
A small business owner was introduced to a “supplier” by a friend. The first order worked; the second required a personal loan and a personal guarantee.
Case summary
The supplier delivered the first order on time and at a good price. The second order was larger, and the supplier asked for a deposit paid to a personal account.
When the goods did not arrive, the supplier claimed the money had been used for customs and asked for another payment. The friend who made the introduction stopped answering.
Timeline
- Month 1: introduced by a friend; small order delivered.
- Month 2: larger order; deposit requested to a personal account.
- Month 3: goods delayed; new fee requested for “customs”.
- Month 4: supplier unreachable; friend denied responsibility.
The turning point
The owner checked the company registration and found that the name on the contract did not match the payment recipient.
He stopped paying, collected the contract, chat and transfer records, and consulted a lawyer about a civil claim.
What to remember
A personal introduction is not a credit check. Match the company, the contract and the bank account before paying.
Never sign a personal guarantee or pay a deposit to an individual without understanding who is liable and how to recover the money.
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