I lost $20k dealing through Alibaba, having said that all of that loss was my own fault. I didn't do the research.
Last summer (in a much better market economy) we made over $40k from the pool markets, so to say Alibaba is a scam is a little unfair.
We have met and developed 3 good relationships out of China, all of which started with emails from Alibaba, including our lady on the ground over there.
Do it right and it's there. 80% of what you buy in Australia (and probably globally) is made in China, think about it, someones making the right calls :-)
Invest a few bucks and get someone on YOUR side over there. Trouble is you got to stump up the cash, these suppliers get a thousand emails a week from people all going to make millions with their idea but none are prepared to put up the dollars to make it happen.
As i said in another post, invest some bucks and find someone to fight your case and control the environment if you want to deal over there and soon after you get going, make the trip, meet the people involved, its your insurance policy