Which scenario best illustrates product substitution?

The scenario that best illustrates product substitution involves submitting an order for high-quality materials but ultimately receiving low-quality products. This situation exemplifies product substitution because it highlights a deliberate attempt to replace the initially requested goods with inferior alternatives. In the context of financial crimes, this could be associated with fraudulent activities where a supplier misrepresents the quality of goods to save costs or deceive the buyer.

While other scenarios might involve issues with the order process or materials, they do not reflect the core concept of product substitution. For instance, providing all requested materials accurately does not indicate any deviation from the order. Similarly, returning incorrect materials to suppliers suggests a miscommunication or error rather than a substitution, and receiving higher quality products than ordered indicates an over-delivery rather than a switch between products. Therefore, the first scenario is the clearest representation of product substitution in action, showing a mismatch between what was ordered and what was delivered.