Fraudulent messages are being sent to shipowners, requesting crypto payments in exchange for secure transit across the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one vessel may have fallen victim to the scam. Marisks, a maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping companies received messages from scammers impersonating Iranian authorities, asking for bitcoin or USDT payments. According to Reuters, the firm believes at least one ship was targeted and came under fire while attempting to navigate the strait over the weekend.
The Strait of Hormuz has seen significant disruption to shipping traffic since the US and Israel initiated military action against Iran on February 28, leaving approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. In response to the US naval blockade, Tehran has proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe passage, with fees likely to be paid in bitcoin.
Marisks has confirmed that the messages are a scam and did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fake messages claim that upon providing documents and assessing eligibility, the Iranian Security Services will determine the cryptocurrency fee, allowing the vessel to transit the strait unimpeded at a pre-agreed time.