Are pirates tipped off?

Apparently, the pirates themselves have confirmed they are being tipped off.

From Lloyd's List article (regarding hijacking of the oil tanker Sirius Star)

“We had to bear many expenses to hijack it and $500,000 was paid for information and expenses for the people who hijack ships,” said the 35-year old pirate, who identified himself as Jami Adam.

“We have countries that give us information about the ships in the sea, if there are commercial ships sailing our way,” he told the Arabic newspaper.

Asked how the pirates followed these ships, he replied that they had “collaborators” who provided information on vessel movements.

There is some speculation the pirates were tipped off about the Faina, the ship carrying tanks and arms with the questionable destination.

Personally, I always wondered if someone tipped them off regarding the M/V Faina. There are several parties who would have reason to do so; Russia, the CIA, various factions in Somali and Kenya.

On a lighter note, even the famous Scott Adams (author of the cartoon strip Dilbert) is writing about the pirates capturing the oil tanker.