· Tank Storage Check
Oil-storage fraud is a transaction-control problem, not just a cyber problem
The reported cost of storage spoofing is measured in millions, but the remedy begins with transaction controls: independently verify the operator, inventory and authority to sell.
The cost is larger than one failed deal
OilPrice.com reports on Rotterdam storage spoofing as a long-running problem, citing the Port of Rotterdam’s estimate of at least EUR 10 million in known annual trader losses and EUR 2.5 billion in offers reported to the task force during 2025. Legitimate operators also bear the cost when their names and websites are impersonated.
Digital impersonation enters through a commercial process
The fake website or email is the entry point. The financial loss happens when a commercial process accepts unsupported claims about inventory, storage or authority. Strong transaction controls therefore need to connect cyber checks with counterparty, document and facility verification before a payment instruction is approved.
A defensible gate before commitment
Before committing capital, obtain independent confirmation from the facility, validate the chain of authority and trace the supporting documents to their issuer. Escalate inconsistencies instead of accepting explanations at face value. This is not friction for its own sake; it is a proportionate control for a high-value physical commodity transaction.