Scammers Promise 'Secure Navigation' Through Hormuz, Possibly Duping One Vessel

Shipping companies have been receiving fake messages requesting cryptocurrency payments in exchange for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one vessel may have fallen victim to the scam. According to Reuters, Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping companies received messages from scammers posing as Iranian authorities, asking for bitcoin or USDT. The company believes that at least one ship was duped 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 conflict with the US and Israel, leaving around 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. In response to the US naval blockade, Tehran proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking 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, claim that after providing documents and assessing eligibility, a fee in cryptocurrency would be determined, allowing the vessel to transit the strait unimpeded.