A series of deceptive messages has been sent to shipowners, asking for cryptocurrency payments in exchange for secure transit across the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting that at least one vessel may have fallen victim to the scam. According to Reuters, Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services firm, has issued a warning after several shipping companies received messages from individuals posing as Iranian authorities, requesting bitcoin or USDT payments.
It is believed that one ship was fired upon while attempting to navigate the strait over the weekend. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked by Iran since February 28, following the initiation of a war by the US and Israel, resulting in approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters being stranded in the Gulf. The US has since imposed a naval blockade and seized an Iranian vessel attempting to evade the operation.
Tehran has proposed the introduction of cryptocurrency tolls for vessels in exchange for safe passage, with fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks has confirmed that these messages are scams and did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent messages, cited by Reuters, stated: 'After providing the documents and assessing your eligibility by the Iranian Security Services, we will be able to determine the fee to be paid in cryptocurrency (BTC or USDT). Only then will your vessel be able to transit the strait unimpeded at the pre-agreed time.'