Scammers Target Ships Stranded Near Hormuz, Demand Crypto for 'Safe Passage'

Shipping companies are being deceived by fraudulent messages requesting crypto payments in exchange for secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one vessel may have fallen victim to the scam. According to Reuters, Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping companies received messages from scammers posing as Iranian authorities, asking for bitcoin or USDT. The firm believes that at least one ship was targeted and came under fire while attempting to navigate the strait over the weekend. The blockade of the strait by Iran, which began on February 28, has left approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. The US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, initiated by President Donald Trump, has resulted in the seizure of an Iranian vessel attempting to evade the operation. Recently, Tehran proposed the introduction of cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe passage, with the spokesperson for Iran's Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters' Union suggesting that bitcoin could be used for these transactions. Marisks has assured that the messages are scams and did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent messages, as cited by Marisks, claim that upon providing documents and assessing eligibility, the Iranian Security Services will determine a fee to be paid in cryptocurrency, allowing the vessel to transit the strait unimpeded.