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

Reports have emerged of shipowners receiving fake messages asking for cryptocurrency payments in exchange for unhindered passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with at least one vessel believed to have fallen victim to the scam. Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services firm, issued an alert after several shipping companies received messages from individuals masquerading as Iranian authorities, requesting bitcoin or USDT payments. The company believes that at least one ship was duped and 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. The U.S. has initiated a naval blockade of the strait and seized an Iranian vessel trying to evade the operation. Iran had 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 scams and did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fake messages claim that upon providing documents and eligibility assessment by the Iranian Security Services, a fee in cryptocurrency will be determined, allowing the vessel to transit the strait unimpeded. The shipping company has not responded to requests for comment.