Fake Vessel Offer Case Study: Misuse of IMO Numbers & “Takeover”

Fake Vessel Offer Case Study: Misuse of IMO Numbers & “Takeover” Scams Fake Vessel Offer Case Study: Misuse of IMO Numbers & “Takeover” Scams Engaged by our client, 1st Class Group verified an offer claiming a tanker with EN590 was “available for takeover” mid-voyage. The seller supplied a real IMO number and a long list of documents. Our due diligence proved the offer was a fake vessel offer designed to extract upfront fees. Proof at a Glance (3 Exhibits) Exhibit 1 — The Offer: Screenshot of the seller’s message citing ARAGONA, IMO 9513115, STS plan, and ICPO demand. Exhibit 2 — Voyage Log: Vessel tracking shows movements and crude oil cargo (not EN590), contradicting the claim. Exhibit 3 — Controller/Trades: Shipping intelligence identifies Neda as controller with fixtures to majors (BP, Aramco, Sinopec) — no “takeover” possible. Exhibit 1 — Fake Vessel Offer Sent to Our Client The seller proposed ship-to-ship (STS) with the tanker ARAGONA, cited IMO 9513115, destination Pengerang, Malaysia, ETA late August, and demanded an ICPO with full banking details. It also promised documents like B/L, NOR and a Dip Test Authorisation within 48 hours. Exhibit 1 – Offer message citing a real IMO number and promising impossible mid-voyage processes. Exhibit 2 — Fake Vessel Offer vs. Real Voyage Intelligence Our vessel tracking showed ARAGONA loading and discharging crude oil (Upper Zakum / Oman Blend) on a pre-booked voyage to Pengerang over the same dates. There was no EN590 cargo and no legitimate availability for takeover at any stage. Exhibit 2 – Voyage timeline confirms crude cargo and scheduled port calls, not EN590. Exhibit 3 — Fake Vessel Offer Claims vs. Real Controller & Trades Shipping intelligence identified the vessel controller as Neda with fixtures involving major players (e.g., BP, Aramco, Sinopec). A vessel under such contractual control is not available for ad-hoc “takeover”. Exhibit 3 – Real controller and fixtures contradict any claim of seller control or takeover. Why “Vessel Available for Takeover” Is Not How Oil Trading Works Not a floating supermarket: No legitimate seller sends cargo to open sea and starts taking random offers. Voyages are pre-contracted under charter parties with insurance and financing in place. Ownership & financing are locked: Title, L/Cs and risk transfer are structured before loading; mid-voyage reassignment would violate contracts and port compliance. NOR, B/L, DTA are controlled documents: Only owners/charterers or their agents can issue them—never third-party “sellers” with no privity. The Myth of Endless ULSD Supply Scammers frequently claim weekly spot parcels of ULSD (EN590 10PPM) of 100,000 MT or more. Reality check: Refinery output is finite and pre-allocated to governments, majors and established traders. Scarce allocations: large ULSD parcels are rarely assigned to unknown intermediaries. Competing demand: Europe and Asia secure volumes months ahead—there’s no “surplus on the water”. How the Fake Vessel Offer Scam Extracts Money Cites a real IMO number to look credible. Demands ICPO with banking details and pressures for speed. Requests upfront takeover/demurrage fees, often in crypto (USDT/TRC20). Pads the offer with jargon (NOR, B/L, DTA, ATSC) to overwhelm non-experts. Before you send any money, validate charter rights, cargo ownership and actual voyage movements with independent sources. 🚫 Scammer Spoiler At 1st Class Group Pte. Ltd., we rely on multiple independent verification factors — vessel intelligence, registry checks, compliance screening, and fraud pattern tracing — to identify scams quickly. To scammers: it’s enough. These tricks no longer work. Every time a fraudulent offer crosses our desk, we expose it, warn the market, and shield our clients from losses. Our message is simple: the buyers who engage our service are well protected. Your recycled documents and false promises do not pass our system. Further Reading & Related Case Studies See our related investigation: AVDS Scam Case Study: Tank Storage & Vessel Fraud. For general scam awareness, visit Singapore Police ScamAlert and INTERPOL Financial Crime. 📩 Need a Vessel/Cargo Offer Verified Before You Commit? 1st Class Group Pte. Ltd. — Verification · Risk Management · Deal Intelligence Contact: Christopher Lee Mobile: +65 8787 8953 Email: [email protected] ⚠️ DO NOT CONTACT US FOR OFFERS — we provide offers to our verification and due diligence services clients only. Internal Insights on EN590 Risk For a deeper dive into how verification prevents losses in fuel trading, read: EN590 Oil Trading – Why Verification & Due Diligence Can Save You Millions .

AVDS Scam Case Study: Tank Storage & Vessel Fraud Exposed

AVDS Scam Case Study: Tank Storage & Vessel Fraud Exposed 🚨 AVDS Scam Case Study: Protecting Clients From Costly Tank Storage & Vessel Fraud Published by: 1st Class Group Pte. Ltd. (UEN: 202319576M) Introduction In today’s volatile fuel and logistics markets, the real risk isn’t just price fluctuations or supply disruptions. Increasingly, fraudulent sellers and logistics providers present polished offers that mask deep flaws — costing businesses time, money, and credibility. This AVDS scam case study highlights why early verification is essential and why buyers should establish strict controls before releasing any funds. At 1st Class Group Pte. Ltd., we specialise in verification and risk management to protect clients from such traps. The following case study exposes how Authentic Venture Distribution Services (AVDS) used documents, invoices, and a Singapore-registered number to create a façade of legitimacy — and why our clients avoided becoming victims. The Problem: Risky Sellers Disguised as Reliable Operators Not every seller or logistics provider is worth your time. Some lack operational backing, some recycle generic paperwork, and others deliberately fabricate capacity. Warning signs include inflated claims, crypto-only payment demands, and inconsistent business details — all classic markers of an AVDS scam-type pattern. Case Study: AVDS Scam in Tank Storage & Vessel Fraud A company branded under AVDS claimed to provide tank storage and vessel services. On the surface, their documents looked viable. But our investigation uncovered a coordinated AVDS scam. Exhibit 1: The False Business Address (AVDS scam red flag) AVDS listed their address at People’s Park Complex, Singapore. When inspected, the registered office was not a logistics firm but a wellness & reflexology shop — proving no relation to tank storage or vessel operations and signalling an AVDS scam red flag. Exhibit 1A – AVDS registered address is actually a wellness shop. Exhibit 1B – Price list showing massage services, unrelated to logistics. Exhibit 2: The Invoice Trap (AVDS scam pattern) AVDS issued an invoice demanding USDT (TRC20) crypto payment for supposed demurrage charges — USD $325,000 for 5 days — with no vessel proof. Such crypto-only demands are a hallmark of an AVDS scam approach. Exhibit 2 – Fake invoice requiring USDT payment with no vessel proof. Exhibit 3: The Tank Storage Agreement (TSA) — AVDS scam contract signals Another client shared a Tank Storage Agreement provided by AVDS. Critical red flags included: Tank number left as “TBD” Boilerplate contract language No evidence of actual storage capacity Exhibit 3 – TSA document with missing details and no real storage allocation. Red Flag Checklist: Lessons from the AVDS Scam Unrealistic fees with no supporting evidence. Crypto-only payments outside regulated channels. Missing operational details such as TBD tanks. Contradictory claims about storage and vessels. Contracts with no proof of assets. Business address inconsistent with claimed operations. Multiple victims with similar losses. For official guidance on spotting and reporting scams similar to an AVDS scam, see the Singapore Police ScamAlert and INTERPOL Financial Crime resources. Zero Tolerance: Reporting the AVDS Scam to Law Enforcement At our firm, we uphold a zero-tolerance policy toward fraud. When scams are identified, we act decisively — exposing them and reporting to the relevant authorities. We have filed a report with the relevant law enforcement authorities regarding this AVDS scam. By doing so, we protect our clients and help create a more transparent, trustworthy marketplace. Report Filed With Law Enforcement To support accountability and public interest, 1st Class Group has submitted a formal report to the relevant law enforcement authorities regarding the AVDS matter. While we do not publish case numbers publicly, supporting documentation can be provided to authorities and subscribed clients upon request. Final Word The lesson is clear: not every seller or logistics provider is who they claim to be. But with the right verification and due diligence partner, businesses can avoid costly mistakes and focus only on opportunities that truly perform. Scams like the AVDS scam remind us that vigilance is non-negotiable in global trade. For a deeper dive into how due diligence prevents costly mistakes in fuel trading, read our article: EN590 Oil Trading – Why Verification & Due Diligence Can Save You Millions . 👉 Protect your business today — explore our annual subscription for verified opportunities only. Contact Us Company Name: 1st Class Group Pte. Ltd. Email: [email protected] Contact Person: Christopher Lee Mobile: +65 8787 8953 ⚠️ DO NOT CONTACT US FOR OFFERS