Scammers Target Stranded Ships with Fake 'Safe Passage' Offers Through Hormuz

Shipping companies are being targeted by scam messages offering safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency payments, with at least one vessel reportedly falling victim to the scheme. According to Reuters, Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, has issued a warning about the scam, which involves fraudulent messages from individuals posing as Iranian authorities. The messages request bitcoin or USDT payments in exchange for secure transit, and it is believed that at least one ship has been 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 US has initiated a naval blockade of the strait and seized an Iranian vessel attempting to evade the operation. Recently, Tehran proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe passage, with fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks has assured that the scam messages do not originate from official Iranian sources, and has provided examples of the fraudulent communications, which promise unimpeded transit of the strait upon payment of the cryptocurrency fee.