Scammers Target Ships Stuck in Hormuz, Demand Crypto for 'Safe Passage'

Fraudulent messages are being sent to shipowners, asking for cryptocurrency payments in exchange for secure transit through the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one vessel has fallen victim to the scam. Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping companies received messages from scammers impersonating Iranian authorities, requesting bitcoin or USDT. According to Reuters, the firm believes at least one ship was duped and came under fire while attempting to pass through the strait. The strait 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. The US has since imposed a naval blockade, seizing an Iranian vessel that tried to evade the operation. Iran proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels in exchange for safe passage on April 9, with the fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks has assured that the messages are a scam and did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent message, cited by Marisks, 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.'