International Maritime Bureau warns of fake cargo-tracking websites

FRAUDULENT cargo tracking websites are the latest criminal threat to shippers, according to the International Chamber of Commerce agency, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Such sites have been created and improved to add an air legitimacy, and help embezzlers entrap shippers with containerised cargo, the most vulnerable to such scams, said the IMB.

Two examples investigated by the bureau illustrate dealt with how such online confirmations - while they appear convincing - turn out to be fraudulent. "These further underline the need for independent verification of credit complying documents, particularly bills of lading," said the IBM statement.

The first example involves a valuable containerised shipment of copper cathodes from South America to the Far East. The bills of lading presented appear on their face, to be in order. The "carrier's website" further attested that the cargo had been loaded as according to the two bills of lading referred, said the IMB, according to GAC Hot Port News.

But an IMB investigation showed it was all a false front. The real carrier quickly confirmed that the vessel was trading elsewhere. While the vessel had bunkered at the discharge port, no cargo operations had been performed in regard to the consignment in question.

"A number of mistakes on the fake carrier website were also present with regards to the vessel which further highlights the potential problem with reliance on such resources for cargo confirmation," said the IMB.

On another occasion, there was shipment of a spurious urea cargo (fertiliser) from Malaysia to Vietnam.

This time, the supposed carrier's website bore a remarkable resemblance to the legitimate website of one of the world's largest liner companies. Website pages had been replicated and presented in such a manner that at first glance, users would take them to be the real thing.

While the illicit website was taken down, the damage had been done and the unsuspecting shipper had paid a considerable amount to those behind the fraudulent website.

Unless the carrier is well known, and the origins of the website are verified, total reliance on website confirmations should be avoided, said the IMB. "Like legitimate businesses, fraudsters have been quick to appreciate the value of a well-presented website in furthering their one ends," said the statement.