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

Fraudulent messages are being sent to shipowners, requesting crypto payments in exchange for safe passage across the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one ship may have fallen victim to the scam. Marisks, a maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping companies received messages from scammers posing as Iranian authorities, asking for payments in bitcoin or USDT. The company believes at least one ship was targeted and came under fire while attempting to pass through the strait. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked by Iran since late February, leaving around 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. In response to the US and Israel's military actions, Iran proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe transit, with fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks has assured shipowners that these messages are scams and do not originate from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent messages claim that after 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.