Shipping companies are being deceived by fraudulent messages requesting cryptocurrency payments in exchange for secure passage across the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one vessel has fallen victim to the scam. According to Reuters, Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping firms received messages from scammers posing as Iranian authorities, demanding bitcoin or USDT payments.
The firm believes that at least one ship was duped and came under fire while attempting to navigate the strait over the weekend. The strait has been largely blocked by Iran since February 28, leaving around 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf.
The US has initiated a naval blockade, seizing one Iranian vessel that tried to evade the operation. Iran proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe passage on April 9, with the fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks has assured shipowners that these messages are scams and did not originate from official Iranian sources.
The fraudulent messages claim that upon providing documents and eligibility assessment 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.