Scammers Target Ships Stranded by Hormuz Blockade with Fake Crypto Payment Schemes

A wave of deceptive messages is targeting shipowners, offering supposed safe passage across the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency payments, with reports suggesting at least one vessel may have fallen prey to the scam. According to a warning issued by Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, several shipping firms have received fake messages from individuals claiming to be Iranian authorities, requesting bitcoin or USDT. The company believes that at least one ship was duped and subsequently fired upon while attempting to navigate the strait over the weekend. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked by Iran since late February, leaving approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. This blockade follows a US and Israel-led conflict in the region. Recently, the US has enforced a naval blockade of the strait and seized an Iranian vessel attempting to evade the operation. In response, Tehran proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe passage, with bitcoin being the likely currency for these transactions. Marisks' alert, issued on Monday, emphasizes that these messages are scams and do not originate from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent messages assure recipients that upon providing necessary documents and payment in cryptocurrency, their vessels will be allowed to transit the strait unimpeded. The shipping company has yet to comment on the matter.