A former executive and three ex-directors of Aegean Marine Petroleum Network are being sued, accused of helping the bunkering giant’s founder, Dimitris Melissanidis, perpetrate and cover up an alleged $300m fraud scheme.

The alleged scheme involved six companies connected either ­directly to Melissanidis or to associates that are accused of getting phoney business deals or other preferential treatment in connection with a fuel storage facility at ­Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.