A maritime fraud network has been revealed, connecting at least 21 fake ship registries and crewing websites to a single fraudulent operation, according to an exclusive investigation by Lloyd’s List. The scam appears linked to over 300 vessels flying bogus flags, used to bypass sanctions and maritime regulation, often by anonymising ownership and evading scrutiny .
A Rogue Network of Fake Flags and Certification Websites
The investigation traced a cluster of 21 active fraudulent registries back to the domain marinegov.net, underlining the syndicate’s centralised infrastructure. These sites are designed to mimic official maritime authorities—complete with forged certificates, QR codes, and near-identical URL structures—but are entirely unrecognised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) .
In total, 50 illicit websites have emerged since early 2024, many still under development, aimed at legitimising ships flagged by sanctioned actors. Among newly identified fake flags are entities tied to Timor‑Leste, Malawi, Guyana, Cameroon, and the Matthew Islands, none of which have authorised such registries . IMO data estimates that at least 306 vessels currently operate under fraudulent flags, suggesting official counts may significantly understate the true scale .
Impacts on Sanctions Enforcement and Maritime Safety
As flagged by Lloyd’s List analysts, fake registries carry profound implications: ships operating outside official oversight raise risks related to sanctions evasion, crew safety, and environmental damage. Owners may re-flag sanctioned vessels under new fraudulent identities within weeks, creating a rapid turnover of flags and undermining port-state controls .
Authorities in affected governments, including Timor-Leste and Malawi, have publicly disavowed the rogue registries and urged engagement with the IMO and Interpol to shut them down. Timor-Leste alone reported at least eight tankers flying its fabricated flag since April 2025.