Shipping agents warned about fraudulent e-mails leading to cargo release

SHIP agents are increasingly faced with attempts to obtain delivery of cargo using forged emails, according to the International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC). “Fraud in shipping is endemic, cargoes are valuable, and it has never been easier to forge documents, electronic communications, bills of lading, etc, the ITIC notes in a statement. Carriers and their agents must continuously be aware of this fact and take whatever steps are necessary to avoid becoming unnecessarily involved in costly claims for damages which have resulted from a failure to be careful and vigilant.A major factor leading to claims by principals against their agents is the misrelease of valuable cargo, ITIC says. Carelessness in dealing with telex release the release of cargo at one port when the bill of lading is surrendered at another (and is almost always done by email) has contributed to these losses. ITIC notes two problems with telex release: they are often worded in a careless manner, and are subject to email fraud.Manipulated emails are received by discharge port agents that authorize the release of cargo. The e-mails confirm freight has been received, when in fact it has not been. ITIC advises agents asked to perform a telex release to first obtain written authority from their principal. It also cautions that telex releases must never be accepted at face value.