As a beekeeper, acquiring bees is an important part in building a healthy and productive apiary. Unfortunately, the growing demand for bees has drawn scammers who prey on enthusiastic buyers. The good news is that you can protect yourself by staying informed and asking the right questions.
Thank you to John Chestnut for assisting with this article. John is an extremely active member of the beekeeping community who works to prevent scammers. This guide will focus on practical strategies to identify scams, questions to ask sellers, and clear red flags to watch for.
Protect your beekeeping investment by spotting scams. Learn key red flags, essential questions to ask, and tips to ensure a safe purchase.
Avoid fraud when buying bees. Discover scam warning signs, critical questions to ask sellers, and steps to protect yourself from losing money.
Beekeeping scams target buyers. Learn to identify red flags, ask the right questions, and safeguard your purchases with these practical tips and strategies.
How to Spot a Scam: Key Red Flags
Avoiding scams starts with knowing what to look for. Here are the top red flags to watch for when buying bees :
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Family and Friends
Scammers want you to pay through means without guarantee or protection from fraud. This isn't always obvious, but if they ask you to pay through Paypal, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App or any other program like that via the "Family and Friends" option, that is a scam. If you do that and it is a scam, you have no way of recovering funds. -
No Phone Number Provided
A legitimate seller will share their phone number and be willing to speak with you directly. If a seller avoids giving out their number, that’s a sign they may not be trustworthy.
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Avoiding Transparency About Location
Be cautious if the seller asks where you are before telling you where they’re located. A reputable seller will openly share their location and apiary details without hesitation.
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Suspiciously Agreeable Answers
If you ask about different options (e.g., breeds or quantities) and the seller always says "yes," they may be trying to close the sale as fast as possible, because... it's a scam.
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Claims of Shipping Nucleus Hives
Shipping a nucleus hive is not a standard practice due to the risks to the bees during transit. Any seller who offers to ship a nuc is likely running a scam.
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Demanding Payment Before Issuing an Invoice
Legitimate sellers provide an invoice or receipt before requesting payment. If the seller says you’ll only receive an invoice after paying, walk away—it’s almost certainly a scam. The exception is individual beekeepers who are cash pay and don't do receipts or invoices.
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Middle-of-the-Night Messaging
Messaging potential buyers at odd hours, like 2:00 AM, is unprofessional and could indicate a scammer in a different time zone trying to avoid detection.
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Only Sharing Details Through DMs
Scammers avoid commenting on public threads to keep their fraudulent activity under the radar. If a seller insists on providing all information through direct messages and avoids public interaction, be cautious.
Essential Questions to Ask Sellers
To further protect yourself, ask these questions to gauge the seller’s credibility:
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Can I Visit Your Apiary or See Your Bees?
A reputable seller will invite you to visit their apiary or offer to provide photos and videos. Refusal to do so is a major red flag.
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What Is Your Phone Number or Email?
Scammers are reluctant to give any information out about themselves. If they give you a hard time, then it's likely a scam.
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Can I Pay You Cash?
Most small time beekeepers are willing to pay by cash when they pickup the bees. If they refuse cash, ask if you can mail them a check. If they refuse a check and won't give you an address, it's a scam.
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Do You Ship Nucs?
I don't know any beekeepers or companies that ship nucs through the mail. If they do, it's likely a scam. If it isn't a scam, you shouldn't be buying a nucleus hive shipped through the mail. Only queens, workers, and packages are shipped by mail. Nucleus hives are not.
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Do You Have A Reference?
Any beekeeper who sells bees will have a reference if they are worth buying from. If they don't, then you should be wary of buying from them, or it may be their first time selling.
If they seem experienced and don't have a reference, that is a red flag. You can ask early how long they have been selling bees. If they say 10 years and don't have a reference, it's a scam.
Additional Warning Signs
If you encounter any of these behaviors, it’s time to walk away:
Vague Responses: Sellers who cannot give specific details about their operation or their bees are likely not legitimate.
Pressuring You to Pay Quickly: A pushy seller may be trying to lock you into a scam before you have time to research or ask questions.
Frequent Name Changes: Sellers who rebrand often, such as moving from “Green Hill Bees” to “Buzzworthy Beekeepers,” may be trying to evade bad reviews or previous reports.
How to Safeguard Your Purchase
Even if a seller seems legitimate, take these steps to protect yourself:
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Check Their Reputation
Research the seller’s name online and check community resources like the Beekeeping Scam Index for known fraudsters. Ask if they go to the local beekeeping club meetings.
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Ask for References
Legitimate sellers often have satisfied customers who can vouch for their business. Contact these references directly.
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Use Secure Payment Options
Always pay through platforms that offer buyer protection. Avoid untraceable methods like gift cards or direct transfers. Always pay online with protection, never using the "family and friends" option.
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Buy Locally When Possible
Purchasing from a nearby seller allows you to know the beekeeper and avoid shipping or scam related issues.
For more information on how to avoid beekeeping fraud, read our blog on "The Do's and Don'ts of Buying Bees for Beginners."
What to Do If You’re Scammed
If the worst happens and you’ve been defrauded, take immediate action:
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File a Local Police Report
Report the incident as “theft by deception.” This helps authorities track scammers across regions.
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Report to the FBI
Use the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center to file a complaint. Your local police report can help streamline the process.
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Notify the FTC
File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov . The FTC has a history of holding platforms accountable for enabling fraud.
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Report the Scammer to Facebook
Use Facebook’s reporting feature to flag fraudulent profiles and ads. Although the platform’s response rate has been criticized, persistent reporting increases visibility.
Join the Fight Against Scammers
The beekeeping community thrives on trust and collaboration. By working together, we can reduce the impact of scammers and protect future buyers. Here’s how you can help:
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Join the Facebook Group "Exposing Bee Scammers"
Connect with other beekeepers, share warnings, and stay updated on common scams.
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Use the Beekeeping Scam Index
Check sellers against this comprehensive list of known fraudsters before purchasing.
Final Thoughts: Be Vigilant and Stay Safe
Scammers thrive on inexperience and trust, but armed with the right knowledge, you can outsmart them. By staying alert, asking the right questions, and connecting with the community, you can protect your investment and enjoy the rewards of beekeeping without the sting of fraud. No matter what, don't pay using "family and friends" or any unsecured digital payment option.
Adam Hickman
Adam Hickman owns Foxhound Bee Company and is a certified EAS Master Beekeeper. Before ever selling a box through Foxhound Bee Company, Adam wrote beekeeping blogs for education. Adam regularly teaches beekeeping classes through Foxhound Bee Co and also through his local beekeeping club.
