Introduction — Why Tank Farm Fraud Is One of the Biggest Threats in Petroleum

Every year, buyers lose millions of dollars because they:

• Lease fake tanks

• Deal with fake tank farm agents

• Pay reservation fees to scammers

• Receive forged TSA, ATL, or DTA

• Conduct DIP tests in non-existent tanks

• Trust “WhatsApp sellers” claiming “tank farm direct”

Tank farm fraud is one of the top 3 scams in petroleum trading (alongside fake POP and fake SGS).

Why?

Because storage is the gateway to the product.
If the tank is fake, the entire deal collapses—regardless of how good the SCO, SPA, or POP looks.

This guide explains how to verify tank farms using institutional techniques, how real terminals operate, what documents are legitimate, and how to identify fakes instantly.

SECTION 1 — Understanding Real Tank Farms (Not the Telegram Version)

1.1 Real Tank Farms Are Regulated Infrastructure, Not Local Businesses

Real tank farms are:

• Licensed

• Audited

• Insured

• ISO-certified

• ISPS-compliant

• Government-regulated

• Connected to port authorities

• Integrated with pipeline networks

They use:

• Access control systems

• SCADA monitoring

• Metrological verification

• Official gate-pass management

• Compliance departments

Fake tank farms cannot replicate this complexity.

1.2 Real Tank Farms Never “Rent Tanks” via WhatsApp or Telegram

Real tank farms:

• Never send TSA via WhatsApp

• Never negotiate via chat apps

• Never accept anonymous buyers

• Never issue DTA before KYC

• Never send POP without a confirmed vessel

• Never bypass compliance departments

If a tank farm “agent” is only on WhatsApp, it’s fake.
If they refuse to use corporate email, it’s fraud.

1.3 Real Tank Farms Work Through Brokers or Allocation Holders

Tank farms rarely communicate directly with buyers.
They rely on:

• Authorized agents

• Allocation holders

• Terminal-approved brokers

• Contracted logistics providers

• Buyers with confirmed SPA

If a “tank farm” is overly eager to speak directly to you → it’s fake.

SECTION 2 — Every Document Fake Tank Farms Forge (And How to Detect It)

Below are the documents scammers typically fake:

2.1 TSA (Tank Storage Agreement)

Fake indicators:

• No serial number

• Wrong terminal address

• Wrong legal structure

• No insurance information

• No ICC Incoterms reference

• No company registration number

2.2 ATL (Authorization To Load)

Fake indicators:

• Issued before Q&Q

• No reference to tank number

• No marine coordinating officer signature

2.3 DTA (Dip Test Authorization)

Fake indicators:

• Issued without compliance

• Issued without fee

• Issued without buyer documents

• Tank number doesn’t exist

• Wrong template

2.4 TSR (Tank Storage Receipt)

Fake indicators:

• Wrong unit conversions

• No timestamp

• No pipeline/line designation

2.5 POP (Proof of Product)

Real tank farms NEVER issue POP.
POP comes from:

• Refinery

• Title holder

• Tank operator only under allocation

Fake POP = fake tank.

SECTION 3 — NNRV Analysis: Real Verification Techniques Used by Institutions

NNRV uses 11 institutional verifications to detect fake tank farms instantly.

3.1 Verify Terminal Registration (Chamber of Commerce + Port Authority)

Real tank farms are registered with:

• National Chamber of Commerce

• Port Authority

• Environmental & Safety Authorities

Fake ones are not.

3.2 Cross-Check IBC Codes and IMO Listing

Every tank terminal involved in petroleum storage is listed in:

• ICIS

• IMO GISIS Port Facility database

• ISGOTT

• Oiltanking / Vopak / Shell terminal networks

If it’s not listed → fake.

3.3 Request the Terminal’s Insurance & HSE Certificate

A real terminal will have:

• Marine liability insurance

• Occupational safety certificate

• Fire & emergency readiness certification

• API/ISO certifications

Scammers cannot produce these.

3.4 Validate the Tank Number Physically

Buyers can request:

• Google Earth coordinates

• Satellite verification

• Terminal map + tank numbering scheme

Fake terminals often invent tank numbers that do not exist.

3.5 Verify Email Domain & IP Geolocation

Real tank farm domains:

• @vopak.com

• @oiltanking.com

• @vttiterminals.com

• @gunvor.com

• @royaldutchshell.com

Fake tank farms use:

• @gmail.com

• @outlook.com

• @hotmail.com

• @yahoo.com

• Misspelled domains

If email is not from official domain → reject instantly.

3.6 Contact Terminal Switchboard (Not Sales Reps)

Call the official number on Google or port authority records.

Ask:

• “Do you have tank number ___?”

• “Does Mr. X work there?”

• “Do you confirm that company X has storage rights?”

90% of “tank farms” will be exposed instantly.

3.7 Check VAT, Tax ID, and Company Registration

Fake companies cannot:

• Provide real VAT numbers

• Show audited financials

• Show corporate filings

• Show physical address

3.8 Request Tugboat & Berth Scheduling Confirmation

Tank farm operations require:

• Tugboat scheduling

• Berth assignment

• Pipeline allocation

Fake tank farms cannot produce:

• Port berthing schedules

• Vessel laycan documents

• Pipeline access confirmation

3.9 Verify SCADA or Terminal Access Protocol

Real terminals operate on:

• Honeywell

• Yokogawa

• Siemens

• Schneider systems

Fake terminals have no SCADA trail.

3.10 Cross-Check Name Against Blacklisted Tank Farms

NNRV regularly updates:

• Fraudulent terminal list

• Fake websites

• Fake brokers

• Fake domain databases

If the tank farm appears in the blacklist, the deal ends.

3.11 Check Pipeline Ownership

Real terminals use:

• TEPS

• MEP

• Europoort pipeline

• Singapore Bukom network

Fake terminals cannot document pipeline links.

SECTION 4 — Step-by-Step Verification Method (NNRV Professional Checklist)

Step 1 — Verify domain + email integrity

If free email → reject.

Step 2 — Check registration + tax ID

Search in official database.

Step 3 — Confirm tank number with terminal

Call directly.

Step 4 — Validate TSA format & numbering

Check ICC references.

Step 5 — Request HSE + insurance certificates

Mandatory for petroleum storage.

Step 6 — Verify terminal’s pipeline map

Real terminals publish it.

Step 7 — Validate DTA sequence (must come after TSA + payment)

No deviation allowed.

Step 8 — Check SCADA report / injection history

Only real terminals can provide.

Step 9 — Use satellite imagery

Google Earth can reveal discrepancies.

Step 10 — Use NNRV institutional verification

We authenticate all documents with refinery and terminal channels.

SECTION 5 — 20 Buyer & Seller Questions (Real Institutional Answers)

10 Buyer Questions

1. How do I know if a tank farm is real?

2. Is TSA on WhatsApp real?

3. Why do fake tank farms always offer “cheap storage”?

4. Who issues real DTA?

5. Can I DIP test without TSA?

6. Why do terminals require KYC?

7. Can I lease a tank before SPA?

8. Should I pay reservation fees?

9. How does NNRV verify terminals?

10. Do all terminals accept EN590? (No)

10 Seller Questions

1. How do I protect my tank allocation?

2. What documents must I provide buyers?

3. How do I avoid being accused of fraud?

4. Should I share terminal contacts? (No)

5. What is the correct DTA sequence?

6. How do I verify buyers?

7. Who coordinates DIP/Q&Q?

8. Can I DIP test before payment?

9. How do I reject fake buyers?

10. Can NNRV help manage tank operations?

SECTION 6 — Why Terminal Verification Is Governed by Global Standards

Real tank farms comply with:

• ISPS (Port Security)

• ISO 9001 / ISO 45001 / ISO 14001

• API storage standards

• ICC UCP 600 trade rules

• IMO/ICS maritime regulations

• Basel III documentation protocol

• EU/US petroleum safety acts

Any tank farm outside this framework = fraudulent.

SECTION 7 — Institutional CTA

📌 Need to Verify Any Tank Farm Before You Commit?

NNRV Trade Partners provides:

• Tank farm authenticity checks

• TSA/ATL/DTA validation

• Terminal registry verification

• Pipeline & SCADA checks

• Document authentication

• POP/Q&Q operational coordination

📩 info@nnrvtradepartners.com
🌐 www.nnrvtradepartners.com

Do not lose money to fake terminals.
NNRV verifies everything BEFORE you proceed.

Mini FAQ (Top 5 Questions)

1. Can a fake tank farm produce POP?
   Yes—POP is the easiest document to forge.

2. What is the biggest red flag?
   TSA or DTA delivered on WhatsApp.

3. Can I confirm a tank by calling the terminal?
   Yes—best technique.

4. Should I pay storage fees before verification?
   Never.

5. Can NNRV verify any tank farm worldwide?
   Yes—through institutional channels.

Why Choose NNRV Trade Partners?

• Institutional-level verification

• Compliance-driven risk control

• Direct refinery & terminal intelligence

• Document authentication

• Global fraud-prevention network

• End-to-end buyer & seller protection