This Fire Is a $100 Million Insurance Scam

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www.patreon.com/WaterlineStories Stories from Below the Waterline

[@amy_grace]

"Letting armed strangers onto the ship goes against anti-piracy protocol." That does sound like the minimum possible anti-piracy protocol, yes 😂

[@Quasihamster]

But your honor... they weren't waving the skull and crossbones flag, and they never even once said arrr! How were we supposed they were pirates arrrr!

[@bradsanders407]

Goes against a lot of things. Common sense being one of them.

[@nipples1233]

​@@Quasihamster 😂

[@virginiaviola5097]

Maybe they said parley first.

[@Communistsarentpeople]

That's like asking criminals to oblige gun free zones

[@mikedicewrites]

Telling lawyers there'll be consequences when they're accusing you of withholding evidence is definitly a great way to sell your innocence😂

[@Axagoras]

I'm shocked that his violent threat did not merit jail time... also these brothers are 100% responsible for the assassination of the investigator. Authorities need to find out how and charge them.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

Consequences... ? one thing no Lawyer will ever accept is consequence for his actions... quite telling of the type of human we are dealing with, isn't it?

[@Kodiak42]

@@stanislavkostarnov2157 did you have a stroke?

[@CreatureSkateboardC2]

As an insurance broker, this video is a great description/introduction into a massive industry most people don’t know even exists

[@tomlxyz]

What type of insurance broker are you?

[@Hs5687]

Not surprised if Everyone Faking Dumb & Innocent to get a Piece of The Action…😊

[@hurf_durf]

The Suez logo you’ve used belongs to the French multinational company called Suez S.A., while the Suez that owned Brillante was Suez Fortune Investment. I was super confused what a large french multinational that predominantly operates in public utilities was doing committing insurance fraud on the high seas with a side of murder..

[@etorepugatti9196]

My first though also, I've been checking wiki just to know if Suez or one of it's branch was involved in the petrol business. The confusion was there

[@jamesheath4845]

@@etorepugatti9196 I was wondering if their waste disposal services include a marine salvage branch...

[@etorepugatti9196]

@@jamesheath4845 I haven't found any information along this line, but I don't think so.

[@giorgosg345]

As a Greek I'm really ashamed that the owner isn't in jail for murder

[@waterlinestories]

It's the shipping industry. Big money and everyone gets away with it.

[@scottessery100]

@@waterlinestories so the honest customers pay 💰 for the corruption 😮

[@zak0777]

Took the words right out of my mouth. I hate the fact that I used his ferries when I was there. People like him and his family never have enough money, it's sad that there's people like them in this world but it is what is. They are turds and I hope someday they pay for what they have done.

[@giorgosg345]

@@zak0777 exactly

[@fatovamingus]

Take heart. You have Giannis.

[@bat__bat]

Yea a pack of random, armed dudes on a boat that were practicing telepathy that night must have intercepted the captain's brainwaves that indicated he was waiting for security personnel to arrive. Great stories, loving the channel. There's no shortage of corruption and scum in just about every industry. But despicable characters and large sea-faring ships have gone hand-in-hand since humans lost their tails.

[@waterlinestories]

😂

[@srednivashtar5432]

The channel is definitely building momentum now! Another well presented (although depressing) story. Looking forward to the next one.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks

[@scottessery100]

@@waterlinestories one of my favourite channels and getting better and better Thank you 😊❤

[@danvalentine4798]

O man top channel! Thanks man keep it up

[@etorepugatti9196]

@@waterlinestories Really nicely done, but the SUEZ you mention is not involved at all in this tricky business, SUEZ is a French multinational involved in water business, gaz .. Iliopoulos company was suez fortune investment ltd

[@enigma1247]

It blows my mind that he is still involved with other ships. Theres no way in hell i would be able to work on any of his ships after this.

[@anja2716]

Right on I was just about to go to bed. I'll sleep when I'm dead. Funny how camo, at sea seems kind of redundant.

[@brucelytle1144]

In 1979 there was a glut of tonnage in old ww2 ships. I made my first trip on a US flagged crude tanker late that year. On the way to Indonesia, we got a distress call from a ship, saying they were going down, taking on water. We were the nearest ship to them, we headed their way and notified them. We chased them for many hours, they were going way from us a 15-16 knts, while we're chasing them @ 19! We got to the scene, just as a Russian passenger ship was sailing away with the crew. The ship was high and dry, probably 10-15 ft from the water to the waterline of the ship. Long story short (believe it or not!), i meet an attorney from NYC in Singapore that is there investigating the sinking of that ship! I told him what I saw (not much, as I worked in the engineroom), yet sent him in the direction of our Capitan, who had seen it all (etc!). I have no idea what happened in that matter... But! (I really an trying to make it short!) On the way back to the states, we have ANOTHER ship nearby with a MAYDAY we're taking on water and going down! Wash, rinse repeat! We get there, the ship has been abandon, making 3 knts, gangway is down, rescure ship on the horizon, departing with the crew! This happened Christmas day! The Second engineer was running around saying " God is giving us a ship for Christmas! Why aren't we taking it! I agreed! Have no idea what happened to that ship! OBTW the first ship wound up being sunk by the Japanese Navy as an hazard to navigation. I've never since that period heard a MAYDAY at sea. Weird stuff goes on out there, and it ain't all ET's!

[@joejoemyo]

Yeah, the car bomb could have been anyone. Unsolvable mystery right there. Too bad we'll never know who ordered the murder of that innocent man

[@uslaserguideddemocracyseed1039]

Just the fact that the captain had ordered the ship to stand still, proves he knew the "pirates" would be coming.

[@pizzlerot2730]

Wow, what a story. Extremely eye-opening to so many things - commercial shipping, the world insurance marketplace, diplomacy and criminal investigation on an international level, and then of course the corruption that can and does infiltrate all of the above... This entire story could translate to an outstanding and provocative crime drama film, particularly with its extremely unsatisfying conclusion that really highlights the absence of actual justice where money and international borders are concerned...

[@waterlinestories]

Yeah seedy criminal underbelly of society and global shipping go hand in hand.

[@P.G.Wodelouse]

you seemed to get confused in a few points between Lloyds of London and Lloyds Register 2 completely different companies. you also keep showing the suez logo for a french waste management company which is not connected to Suez Fortune Investments Ltd or Marios Iliopoulos in any way.

[@pvdppvdp6638]

And the same when saying "Illiopoulos is in fast ferries in Greece", showing a picture of 2 ferries from FAST Ferries. That company has nothing to do with Illiopoulos who is the owner of Seajets.

[@beverlyreiner-baillargeon6205]

Another great story. You've enlightened the world to the good and evils of shipping. Something we have never, ever heard of. Thanks for another great ride. 😉😉😉

[@waterlinestories]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@beverlyreiner-baillargeon6205]

@@waterlinestories Enjoy all of your stories. Can't wait to see the next one

[@Pooki2024]

Who’s we ? Speak for yourself and not everyone else

[@beverlyreiner-baillargeon6205]

@@Pooki2024 Hell I wasn't including you anyway, so take a long walk off a short pier!! See ya!!!

[@smegheadGOAT]

Great stuff, there is a lot of criminality in the shipping industry.

[@anja2716]

Your'd think there would be a more indepth security process and way better communication between the expected guards and the crew. Would they normally arrive in an unmarked, regular, motor boat? I'm imagining they'd maybe resemble SWAT?

[@waterlinestories]

Well These are all the things that triggered an alarm for the investigators.

[@anja2716]

@@waterlinestories Yes. I get ahead of myself with anticipation and curiosity (Because I enjoy your stories so much) and comment questions before watching till the end. I feel a little stupid right now.

[@alickomay7344]

@@waterlinestories the part i could not follow was the pirates saying they where someone ells and sum how that means thay get insider infor 15:10 to 15:25

[@adamrobinson8238]

Marios’ company Suez Fortune Investments doesn’t have anything to do with the French multinational company SUEZ which is the company you showed.

[@bencheevers6693]

I was going to say at least he can't do it again but I was forgetting that the assessor was killed, that's disgusting, also he might just do it again, like you said it's very hard to prove. He should be rotting in jail

[@tudor888]

Just discovered this channel and I can’t stop watching your videos. Brilliant work.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. Welcome aboard

[@The8224sm]

Kudos to the judge.

[@phlanxsmurf]

This is such a great channel, please keep making content! It is unfortunate that most of these stories are heartbreaking or chock full of corruption.

[@waterlinestories]

Will Do. And yeah those are the ones that catch my attention. There are some others but you seldom hear of the near miss because it just doesn't get recorded.

[@tomghzel]

@@waterlinestories Don't get too much momentum with the channel or Illionopolis might come for you too hehe. .😅😅🙈🙈🙈🙈

[@Alonewolf147]

may i add, love your summaries, not too long or committing to watch, but detailed and intricate enough to stop me from messing with the watch speed, keep making masterpieces

[@lindisandersson8130]

I really love the way you make your videos. Alwyas so well explained.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks, I really appreciate that

[@tonyb6710]

What a storyteller👌👊

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks

[@m.streicher8286]

Never heard this story before, thanks

[@cilowink]

What a wonderful channel, really love the videos c: destined for greatness

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks, I really appreciate that

[@crabmansteve6844]

I used to love watching these pirates get smoked on LiveLeak.

[@juliahaynie764]

Another excellent video covering a complicated topic! So glad to see you continue to make interesting videos on a widening area of topics! More videos about Alaska?

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. Ill have to dig into some Alaska Stories.

[@nastystang113]

Quite a few good stories of terrible sinkings in the Bering Strait.

[@user-ol6xs9sp1p]

wearing my shirt i just bought from you, and watching the new episode! life is good...

[@waterlinestories]

Seriously? Thanks that's awesome

[@Lawsuit-Inbound]

Great video! Good voice too!

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Brilliant channel. Cheers

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks, I really appreciate that

[@logoleaf5766]

Thank you very much for another interesting and well explained story!

[@waterlinestories]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@eagles4eva05]

Asking an armed man for I.D somehow doesn't seem like the best thing to do

[@waterlinestories]

😂

[@raymaharaj4502]

Wow I didn't think this video was gunna be all that but damn was I wrong. This shyt had me at the edge of my seat waiting for what happened next. Thank you for another great post!!!!!

[@avgeek-and-fashion]

You have a very pleasant accent. Great video too!

[@sharck21]

Another one i really enjoyed.prehaps you could move into doing more water based storytelling. Especially cave diving. The blue hole in northern Africa.

[@waterlinestories]

Yes theirs lots to explore.

[@seanwilson6729]

Definitely Jason Bourne material. A great account of some very shady stuff.

[@waterlinestories]

Yeah it's amazing what's actually happening out there in the wider world.

[@noyota]

Jason Bourne actually would know the difference between east and west 😂😂😂😂

[@Ob1sdarkside]

Great vid, again. There's a good book about this called Dead in the Water.

[@waterlinestories]

I’ve heard of it but not read it.

[@doggonemess1]

4:20 At first I thought that the ship was the wrong image or the video had used the term cruiser instead of destroyer. Turns out it is a cruiser; I'm really off my game in ship identification. The distinction between cruisers and destroyers is really blurred now. The difference in size is the most apparent difference between cold war ships and modern ships - the length of a Ticonderoga vs an Arleigh Burke is less than 60 feet.

[@UnitSe7en]

Distinctions get muddy about the time they start mixing classes. Fast battleship. Light cruiser. Heavy destroyer. Blurs the lines and makes class identification visually not obvious always.

[@doggonemess1]

@@UnitSe7en My dad was XO on the USS Mahan. It started life as a DLG, a "Destroyer Leader" or colloquially known as a frigate, before being reclassified as a guided missile destroyer. It was almost the size of a cruiser and was so multi-role that it's no wonder they couldn't figure out how to class it.

[@tokiwartooth6835]

Brilliant virtuoso has got to be the most pompous name for a vessel I’ve ever read lol

[@jonoferguson22]

00:45 Correction, East coast of Africa. Thanks for your content!

[@davidwilliams7552]

Simple error early in you say that Somalia is on rhe west coaat when of course it is the east coast of Africa. Enjoying your videos!

[@waterlinestories]

Yeah I didn’t spot it until after I published the video when someone pointed it out. Only the eagle eyes have seen it, or heard the mistake anyway.

[@mipmipmipmipmip]

Guy is still at it, amazing how easily one can keep doing crime as long as stakes are high enough.

[@vincent5]

Very nice video!

[@thecamocampaindude5167]

This story would be great for an action movie!

[@logancravey7640]

Great video!

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks

[@slacko1971]

@0:46 "the west coast of Africa" That map indicates it's on the East coast.

[@pvdppvdp6638]

I know the story of the Brillante Virtuoso already many years. It's a pity there are so many mistakes in this video. - Somalia is East coast of Africa and not West Coast - Suez Investment has nothing to do with the French company Suez (of which the logo is shown) - Mario Illiopoulos is absolutely not connected to Fast Ferries (yet a picture of 2 ferries from Fast Ferries is shown). He has a fleet of high speed ferries (Seajets) - ....

[@LabiaLicker]

Great video. Wished I had watched it earlier. Just had a lingering question. How do we know that Suez Fortune Investment Ltd is linked to the the French water and waste management company Suez? (logo shown at 5:49).

[@pvdppvdp6638]

It's not. And there are other simmilar mistakes in this video.

[@Jagrofes]

The guy literally looks like the most stereotypical greasy bad guy. Do you think he is doing it intentionally?

[@JuliusCaesar888]

First. Thanks for the new video boyo!!!!!

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. Welcome back😁

[@wkgurr]

Interesting story. Did you tell the story of the "Lukona"? I'm asking because looking at the pictures of Iliopoulos the owner of the "Brillante" reminds me of the "Lukona" because I find there's a faint resemblance in facial features between Proksch the owner of the "Lukona" and Iliopolous.

[@waterlinestories]

No I haven’t heard of it. Looks interesting. Thanks for the tip

[@howdeedoodee6603]

spannende Geschichte, sehr gut recherchiert und dargestellt

[@warwolf6359]

Nice video! More light in dark corners…

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. Yeah it gets quite interesting.

[@tonic5078]

ReFreshing. Something Different. Subscribed.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks. Yeah I thought it was an interesting story.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this video and would like to watch more videos from this channel without any ads, consider joining our Patreon. The link is in the description. You can join for free or select a membership with benefits ranging from ad free videos through to early access and live q and a calls. I look forward to meeting you there. www.patreon.com/WaterlineStories

[@anja2716]

I was a few minutes into the new video this morning 'Nord' something, and I fell asleep. (It was 4am‐ish) it now says the video is private. Pardon my ignorance but what does that mean, why is that and how do I watch it?

[@211212112]

Possibly all dude had to do was control his temper, but he couldn’t do it. I bet some slick insurance company lawyer planned and played that gambit. That takes balls but I figure that lawyer lives in London and will avoid Yemen.

[@waterlinestories]

Interesting to think of the games played out in court.

[@festungkurland9804]

Greek shipping company? lol shocking.

[@peterferguson7679]

Well told and put together thank you I was involed with the claim on the Elli should have not been paid you could start another video on that claim both claims are linked. .

[@waterlinestories]

Interesting. I hadn't really thought to look at the Elli. I'll have to have another look and see what I can find. Thanks👍🏻

[@peterferguson7679]

@@waterlinestories I should have said I worked for Talbot handled the claim for the Elli for my company

[@salvagedb2470]

Great vid again , really like it.

[@SPFLDAngler]

What a crazy story

[@waterlinestories]

Yeah, you don’t really think of such crazy shit outside of movies, but it happens.

[@Skorpychan]

I love that the piracy investigator was from Plymouth, and thus spoke like a pirate.

[@jamesjross]

wow - this could be a movie

[@WisKy64VT]

100 mill is well into the “murder is fair game” amount of money

[@deaddropholiday]

You'd better believe folk start sweating when the Lloyds investigator arrives in town.

[@L3GHO5T]

The ship gets high jacked, bombed and lit on fire and the big boss shows up and chips them $200 bucks. He was real hurtin’ loo

[@stuartotaku]

Someone tell the Internet historian he should link up with this guy for a sequel to the Costa episode.

[@Renard380]

The rich are never held accountable, no matter how many they kill.

[@waterlinestories]

Money trumps all

[@jekanyika]

The owner should probably be in jail.

[@waterlinestories]

Yep Probably

[@danielgreco2420]

Just what I need ❤

[@daniele36140]

Is there a movie on this story? I would totally watch it

[@porkscratchings5428]

Big time insurance scam, showed his colours in court lol

[@edwinwise6751]

This would make a good movie

[@IsoLight765]

I have thalassophobia and so you'd never see me wearing goggles and flippers 😋 in the ocean but this channel just got me hooked. It is always a joy to see when you have a new video up even if the topics are sometimes hard to stomach and your presentation is completely on point for the things you cover.

[@waterlinestories]

Thanks

[@adtfor]

believe me it's much worse without goggles and flippers, at least you can see something and swim faster. Btw a lot of people with fear of depth get into diving later to overcome that

[@JimmyThree-Balls]

Thalassophobia is stupid, because a phobia is an irrational fear and there is nothing irrational about the fear of the ocean and drowning. Ill also admit if that i would have said phobia to the point i can't even swim in a river or watch movies about the ocean, regardless of my feelings of the term.

[@GeorgeExT]

This story speaks for itself... And I noticed 1-2 greek names in the story which is Very suspicious (I am greek) 😉

[@waterlinestories]

🤭

[@SparkChance327]

You should do one on Boris Berezovski and Paul Klebnikov

[@adamfrazer5150]

😌 ahh insurance, the first sausage-finger into the financial waistband of society. Chapter 2 is about 'speculation' (🤑).

[@aVeiraSura]

So far, I've noticed a trend with Greek captains and company owners 🤔

[@wearemany73]

“We are the security team” 🤣…🤨 You’re serious?

[@machettefreddy4170]

@2:42 Captain needs a step stool to get in and out of bed.. 🙂

[@SparkChance327]

5:48 usually you have to save it all if you cannot recover all of the shipwreck, you do not get the payout it’s all or nothing

[@eitandzur]

Image overlay of the "captain" has one stripe on his uniform, captains have 4.

[@bertlbarm4374]

That reminds me of the LUKONA Case

[@TJ-el5tm]

Second I heard the owners name I thought “oh Greek corruption again”

[@nickklavdianos5136]

Shipping magnates doing illegal things and not facing prosecution, yea, that is old news in Greece. But what amazes me is how stupid their cover story was. An armed group of unknown men showed up, so we just allowed them to board. They ended up probably being pirates, bit instead of holding the ship and crew for ransom they set fire to it and sodded off. Shit I thought of a better cover story right now.

[@Vok250]

Wearing woodland camo as a pirate doesn't make much sense to me.

[@JosieJOK]

Um, did you say Somalia is on the *west* coast of Africa?!🫢

[@waterlinestories]

Ooops

[@JosieJOK]

@@waterlinestories it surprised me! You don’t usually make mistakes like that. Still a great video, though-like something out of a spy novel!

[@waterlinestories]

Yeah it's an interesting one. I know. Staring me right in the face. 😳

[@tommooe4524]

This can be described as a simple “greek inventory”

[@toadamine]

unbelieveable that they dont have guns on theseships to fight back against these pirates... insanity... its like thy want the pirates to come take them...

[@Jason-vp8nd]

I bet the guy that just went down to Ocean gate sub knew about this

[@waterlinestories]

😂

[@spvillano]

Insurance companies, well, the phrase due diligence and due care come to mind... As in lack of. Then desperately defending. Oh, my aching foot, from the self-inflicted gunshot, however can it get cared for?!

[@homuraakemi493]

"getting shot in yemen helped him gain credibility with the locals" 😂

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

Look at me. This my video now.

[@waterlinestories]

?

[@skylineXpert]

In Denmark we had Soeren & Eddy who were held for ransom by these somali pirates. But this reminds me more of Scandinavian Star...

[@joshuapatrick682]

Interesting that he didn’t face any consequences til he threatened government officials directly and then only a slap on the wrist.

[@naturallyaspiratedRussianally]

Played the system and won? And somebody got deaded? Frustrating. Blue collar crime? And blame it on the Somalis... ? Not fair. Love and Respect for humanity.

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

And of course, the scammers walk free. Again. And again.

[@forthoseabouttodie]

So why do you think the 'Titanic' was sank ? It was an insurance scam.

[@Kholoured]

This while situation sounds fishy. The captuon shuts off the engines and just floats? Why?