A major Chinese chain of seafood distribution stores specializing in imported seafood is claiming it is the victim of fraud by “unscrupulous” competitors jealous of its success.
A statement from the Bolaixian firm claims fraudsters have been impersonating company management and franchisers to collect fees from franchisees around China. The company has published the mobile phone numbers of its franchise managers in order to clamp down on what it says is fraud “resulting from the unceasing [fraud] increasing in our market share of the China seafood market.”
Headquartered in the east coast city of Jinan, Bolaixian has been busy in recent years recruiting franchisees who pay for the right to use the company name. Bolaixian is owned by Blue Ocean (Canada) Foods, a Chinese-run operation registered in British Columbia, Canada. It describes itself prominently in its marketing materials as a subsidiary of a Canadian seafood firm, and it uses an English name, iSeafood, on its logo.
Bolaixian casts itself as a “vertically integrated enterprise” with capabilities in fishing, instant freezing, processing, packaging, and shipping. The firm is licensed to handle import customs clearing and distribution.
Bolaixian stores tout “seafood from the ice cold and unpolluted waters of Canada and other countries...” The company is promoting gift boxes for Chinese New Year that are “fashionable” and “give face” to the gifters and recipients. Offerings include lobster, king crab, silver cod, Arctic shrimp, and American red shrimp.
