Scammers Target Ships Stranded by Hormuz Blockade with Crypto Payment Schemes

A recent wave of fraudulent messages has been targeting shipowners, offering 'secure' transit through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. According to reports, at least one vessel may have fallen victim to this scam, resulting in an attack while attempting to navigate the strait. The scam involves messages from individuals claiming to be Iranian authorities, asking for payments in bitcoin or USDT in order to guarantee safe passage. This comes as shipping traffic through the strait remains heavily restricted due to the ongoing blockade. The situation has left approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. The U.S. has initiated a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with one Iranian vessel seized for attempting to evade the operation. In response to the blockade, Tehran has proposed the implementation of cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe transit. However, the maritime risk company Marisks has warned that the messages demanding crypto payments are scams and did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent messages claim that upon providing the necessary documents and payment in cryptocurrency, vessels will be granted unimpeded passage through the strait at a predetermined time.