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

Shipping companies have been receiving fake messages from scammers claiming to be Iranian authorities, asking for cryptocurrency payments in exchange for safe passage through the Hormuz Strait. According to reports, at least one vessel may have fallen victim to this scam. Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, issued a warning on Monday, stating that several shipping companies had received these fraudulent messages, which requested bitcoin or USDT payments. The firm believes that one ship was duped and came under fire while attempting to navigate the strait over the weekend. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked by Iran since February 28, following the initiation of a war by the US and Israel. Approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters are currently stranded in the Gulf. Last week, US President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of the strait and seized an Iranian vessel trying to evade it. Tehran, which controls the strait, proposed cryptocurrency tolls for vessels in exchange for safe passage on April 9. According to Hamid Hosseini, spokesperson for Iran's Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters' Union, the crypto fees would likely be charged in bitcoin. Marisks has assured that these messages are scams and did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent message, cited by Marisks, reads: 'After providing the documents and assessing your eligibility by the Iranian Security Services, we will be able to determine the fee to be paid in cryptocurrency (BTC or USDT). Only then will your vessel be able to transit the strait unimpeded at the pre-agreed time.' The shipping company has not responded to requests for comment.