Shipping companies are being targeted by scammers offering 'safe passage' through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency payments, with at least one vessel reportedly falling victim to the scam. According to Reuters, Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, has issued a warning about fraudulent messages sent to shipowners, purporting to be from Iranian authorities and requesting bitcoin or USDT payments. The firm believes that at least one ship has been duped and was subsequently fired upon while attempting to navigate 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 passage, with fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. However, Marisks has confirmed that the messages are a scam and did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent messages claim that upon 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.