Scammers Target Ships Stranded by Hormuz Blockade with Fake Crypto Payment Schemes

A recent wave of fraudulent messages has been targeting shipowners, asking for cryptocurrency payments in exchange for unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, at least one vessel may have fallen victim to this scam. Marisks, a maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping companies received messages from scammers claiming to be Iranian authorities, demanding payment in bitcoin or USDT. The firm believes that one ship was indeed duped and came under fire while attempting to navigate the strait. The situation is exacerbated by the blockade of the strait, which has been in place since February 28, leaving approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. The U.S. has initiated a naval blockade, seizing an Iranian vessel that attempted to evade the operation. In response, Tehran proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe passage, with fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks has assured that the messages are scams and do not originate from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent messages claim that upon providing documents and eligibility assessment by the Iranian Security Services, a fee in cryptocurrency will be determined, allowing the vessel to transit the strait at a pre-agreed time.