Turks say Fraud is Involved with Missing Vessel and Crew

Turkish authorities have informed Indian shipping officials that they suspect maritime fraud with the disappearance of Panamanian merchant vessel "Rezzak" and its crew of 25 Indian sailors the Black Sea on February 18th.
While there is no official word about the fate of the ship and crew. The director of the Indian’s Governmental Shipping Agency, said they could not dispute claims regarding possible fraud, and is aware of Interpol's Ankara Unit suspecting foul play. But, he insists that the fate of the 25 Indian national sailors is paramount to the investigation.

There is currently an international initiative involving Panama, the ship's registry, Turkey, India, and Russia in an effort to locate the vessel. The shipping company is also sending its representative to work with investigator.

Sources believe there was complicity with crew members, because it was revealed that none of the ship’s three communication systems had functioned. Additionally, the vessel's automatic identification system had been switched off, but the ship’s owner may have been tracking the vessel via a GPS system. Curious as well, is that none of the other sophisticated systems, like its Global Maritime Distress and Safety System and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon seemed to be working.

Sources say that in most maritime frauds, especially with high-value cargoes, the goods are sold off and the ship is scuttled and the steel is sold off as scrap. Authorities are quick to point out that none of this can be accomplished without the connivance of some of the crew members.