Scam deals in EN590 trading often look polished. You’ll receive full document packs — ICPO, DTA, TTVIA, even SGS reports. But an experienced buyer knows how to cut through the illusion.

🔍 Key Questions to Identify a Fake Setup

• Who owns the cargo? – A real seller can show title and the full product chain from refinery to tank.
• Can tank allocation be verified? – A legitimate deal allows you to contact the terminal (e.g. Vopak, JTC) to verify tank number and allocation directly.
• Is there valid POP and SGS? – Request the latest SGS or Intertek report with QR code or reference number. Fake deals often reuse old or fabricated versions.
• Are there hidden fees? – Real sellers don't ask for “logistics,” “injection,” or “port clearance” fees before product verification. If they do — it's a scam.
• Are they using free email (Gmail/Yahoo)? – A refinery or real mandate usually uses a corporate email domain (e.g. @refinery.kz). If the contact is from Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail, this is a major red flag — unless they're already known and verified by a trusted intermediary (see below).
• Do they avoid direct answers? – Vague replies, constant delays, or refusal to allow verification? 🚩 Walk away.

🏭 Do Refineries Sell EN590 Directly?

No — not in the way scammers claim.

Refineries are industrial processors. Their core business is to refine crude oil into finished products like diesel and jet fuel. They:

• Sell under long-term offtake agreements
• Work with licensed traders, NOCs, or commercial arms
• Do not participate in WhatsApp deals or respond to random ICPOs

🤝 What Is a Legitimate Refinery Mandate?

A refinery mandate can sell only if they:

• Are officially appointed by the refinery
• Hold a valid allocation or act as the title holder
• Provide clear proof (e.g. allocation letter, contract number, POP chain)
• Allow third-party verification (terminal, SGS, or refinery link)

But scammers regularly abuse the term “mandate” to gain trust and ask for upfront payments — without showing proof.

🧩 Can a Legitimate Mandate Use a Free Email?

Sometimes — but only if they are:

• Already known and verified by an intermediary like 1st Class Group
• Able to show allocation, POP, and cargo trail
• Connected to real refinery origin and tank access

We vet and confirm all such intermediaries before accepting any documentation or payment procedures. If you receive such an offer directly without verification — treat it as highly suspicious.

✅ Real vs Fake – A Quick Comparison