INTEL
Status: blockedCLUSTERNovorossiysk-Turkish-Med Dark Fleet Cluster added — confirmedStatus: blockedCLUSTERPinnacle Petrol LLC added — likelyStatus: blockedCLUSTERSimar Chahal added — confirmedStatus: blockedCLUSTERSSW Kafcima added — likelyStatus: blockedCLUSTERNW Corp Singapore added — likelyStatus: pendingCORPUS429 entities · 64 countries
← Scam playbook

Scam playbook

Dark-fleet routing & sanctions-evasion red flags

Structures designed to disguise the origin or ownership of sanctioned product — via opaque routing, ship-to-ship transfers, AIS gaps, and relabelled origin documents.

How it works

  • 1.Cargo is routed through a transit jurisdiction and re-papered to obscure true origin.
  • 2.Vessels go dark (AIS off) around STS transfer zones.
  • 3.Ownership sits behind freshly-created or opaque entities in permissive jurisdictions.

Red flags

  • Origin documents that don't reconcile with vessel track / AIS history.
  • STS transfers in known evasion corridors with AIS gaps.
  • Counterparty or vessel ownership behind newly-formed shells.

What the real version looks like

Legitimate cargo has a coherent, verifiable chain from load port to discharge with consistent vessel tracking. Origin laundering is screenable — sanctions, vessel-history, and routing checks are exactly what a KYC pipeline is for.

This page describes a general fraud pattern for educational purposes. It is not an accusation against any specific person or company. A clean check is not a clearance — documentary KYC and licence verification still apply.