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

Shipping companies are being deceived by messages asking for cryptocurrency payments in order to secure safe passage across the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one vessel has fallen victim to the scam. According to Reuters, Marisks, a maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping companies received fake messages from individuals claiming to be Iranian authorities, requesting bitcoin or USDT payments. It is believed that at least one ship was duped and subsequently fired upon while attempting to navigate the strait. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked by Iran since late February, resulting in approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters being stranded in the Gulf. The U.S. and Israel initiated a conflict with Iran, prompting a naval blockade of the strait by the U.S. and the seizure of an Iranian vessel attempting to evade the operation. Tehran has proposed cryptocurrency tolls for vessels in exchange for safe passage, with the fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks has assured that the messages are scams and did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent messages claim that upon 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.