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

Fraudulent messages are being sent to shipowners, requesting bitcoin or USDT payments in return for safe transit across the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one vessel has fallen prey to the scam. Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services firm, has sounded the alarm after several shipping companies received fake messages from scammers posing as Iranian officials. The messages ask for cryptocurrency payments in exchange for unimpeded passage through the strait, which has been largely blocked by Iran since late February. According to Reuters, around 20,000 oil tankers and freighters are currently stranded in the Gulf. The scammers' 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 at a pre-agreed time. Marisks has stressed that these messages are scams and do not originate from official Iranian sources.