World News
Cyber Criminals Swipe Over $600,000 in Bunker Payments
Approximately $644,000 has been stolen from the Limassol, Cyprus office of an undisclosed shipping firm, in a hacking attack that is currently under investigation by Interpol, local media reports.
The money was earmarked for an African bunker supplier but instead wound up in a Polish bank account.
Authorities say evidence gathered to date suggests that on two occasions, after its computer systems were hacked, Limassol employees were then persuaded to deposit the funds into a different account than that of the supplier.
Although a request has been made for the money to be frozen while the investigation continues, it is unclear whether the funds remain in the account or have been transferred elsewhere.
The unnamed suppler in Africa is understood to be still awaiting payment.
Cyber-theft is a relatively rare crime in the bunker industry, but a scam last year that cost World Fuel Services (WFS) an estimated $18 million was said to have highlighted the growing threat of cybercrime in the sector.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 645.00 | 2.00 | 767.50 | 11.50 |
| Rotterdam | 600.00 | 8.00 | 751.50 | 13.00 |
| Houston | 627.50 | 9.00 | 796.00 | 11.50 |
| Fujairah | 649.50 | 0.00 | 889.00 | 0.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 665.00 | 0.50 | 864.00 | 6.50 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 630.50 | 5.00 | 801.00 | 9.00 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 722.50 | 2.50 | 922.50 | 3.00 |
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