FRAUD ALERT: Coca-Cola impersonation – Fraudulent avocado purchase request

Blue Book has been made aware of a suspected impersonation scheme involving The Coca-Cola Company.  

A produce shipper received a solicitation from an individual claiming to represent Coca-Cola and seeking to purchase a full truckload of 48-count medium avocados.

The requestor identified himself as Henrique Braun, EVP & President, International & New Business Development.  However, independent resources indicate Mr. Braun became CEO of the company March 31, 2026.

Key Fraud Indicators

Look-Alike Email Domain
The solicitation was sent from h.braun@coca-colahq.com.  The coca-colahq.com domain does not match Coca-Cola’s legitimate corporate domain, coca-cola.com. The addition of “hq” creates a convincing look-alike address.

Unverified Telephone Number
The communication listed (404) 666-9998.  Blue Book called the number, which was answered by an automated system that did not identify Coca-Cola, a Coca-Cola location, or the individual named in the solicitation.

Verify Before You Ship

Fraudsters increasingly use legitimate company names, executive identities, addresses, and professional-looking signatures to appear credible.  Before extending credit or shipping product, independently verify the company, contact, email domain, phone number, and delivery information.

Leverage Blue Book Verify

Use Blue Book Verify to confirm that the company and individual you are dealing with match verified Blue Book information—especially with new customers, high-value loads, or transactions that appear rushed or unusual.

A few minutes of verification can prevent a significant financial loss.