A According to the statistics of the Organization of Trade and Development of the United Nations, there are several swindling acts each month and swindling causes a loss of up to billions of US dollars annually. In 1959,the swindle of Coffee in Costa Rica paralyzed the country’’s economy for a certain period of time. At the urgent request of the international business community, the Organization of Trade and Development of the United Nations held two special meetings in 1984 and 1985 in Geneva to deal with the problem, but no agreement were reached.B Generally speaking, there is little opportunity for the swindlers to take advantage in the trading of complete sets of equipment or transfer of technology, while commodity transactions are most vulnerable to swindling. As long as such commodities as steel, cement, fertilizer and chemicals are identical in specification, model, pattern, or chemical composition, as long as the price is favorable and delivery is prompt, the buyer seldom sends any mission abroad to inspect the goods. Swindlers often take advantage of these factors and resell the goods to make profits.C Swindlers can also, by taking advantage of natural calamities such as storm and submerged reefs, forge and reported sea accidents. Then, they remove and resell the goods for huge profits. Since the cargo is not received, the buyer claims against insurance company. Therefore, the final victimized is the insurance company. Generally speaking, the carrier, captain and seaman collaborate with one another to commit this kind of economic crime. Afterwards, they sell the ship and the goods and abscond. If goods are carried on the ship, the insurance is one of the victims in this case.D The criminals sometimes swindle money from the buyer by forging commercial documents. Upon presentation of the bill of lading, the buyer cannot get the goods after he has paid according to the contract. The seller can sometimes lose money in a contract that stipulates payment after the arrival of goods or by bank collection. In most cases, the criminals first win the seller’’s trust by doing some successful trade transactions with him. Then he manages to acquire a large deal by signing a contract that stipulates payment after the arrival of the goods or by bank collection. As soon as he receives the goods, the buyer sells the goods and absconds with the money.E In order to prevent international swindling, we suggest the following measures: Firstly, we should promote education and maintain sharp vigilance in international trade transactions. Secondly, we should carefully investigate the credit status before the conclusion of a contract. Thirdly, we should draft every clause of the contract properly since the contract is the only legal document for the execution of transaction and the settlement of the dispute. Lastly, we should supervise the loading of the goods and keep a close watch on the movements of the carrying vessel.0. Swindling can be devastating to a country’’s economy. (A)

A. We should keep alert in international trade transactions.