Scammers Promise Safe Passage Through Hormuz in Exchange for Cryptocurrency

Fraudulent messages are being sent to shipowners, asking for cryptocurrency payments in exchange for safe passage across the Strait of Hormuz, with at least one vessel reportedly falling victim to the scam. According to a warning issued by Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, several shipping companies have received messages from scammers claiming to be Iranian authorities, requesting bitcoin or USDT payments. The firm believes that at least one ship was deceived and came under fire 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, leaving approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. Recently, the US imposed a naval blockade on the strait and seized an Iranian vessel trying to evade the operation. Iran had proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels in exchange for safe transit, with fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks has assured that the messages are scams and did not originate from official Iranian sources, stating, 'These specific messages are a scam.' The fraudulent messages claim that after providing documents and being assessed by the Iranian Security Services, a fee in cryptocurrency will be determined, allowing the vessel to transit the strait unimpeded at a pre-agreed time.