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

Shipping companies are being targeted by scammers with fake messages offering 'safe passage' through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. According to reports, at least one vessel may have fallen victim to this scam. Marisks, a maritime risk services firm, has issued a warning about these fraudulent messages, which claim to be from Iranian authorities and request bitcoin or USDT payments. The company believes that one ship was fired upon while attempting to pass through the strait after being deceived by the scammers. 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 it. Iran has proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe transit, with fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. However, Marisks has assured that the messages asking for crypto payments are scams and do not originate from official Iranian sources. The fake messages claim that upon providing documents and being assessed by the Iranian Security Services, a fee in cryptocurrency will be determined, allowing the vessel to transit the strait unimpeded at a pre-agreed time.