A growing number of shipowners have been receiving fake messages requesting cryptocurrency payments in order to navigate the Strait of Hormuz safely, with reports suggesting that at least one vessel may have fallen victim to the scam. Marisks, a company specializing in maritime risk, has issued an alert after several shipping companies reported receiving messages from individuals posing as Iranian officials, asking for payments in bitcoin or USDT in exchange for unimpeded passage. According to the firm, it is believed that one ship was duped and subsequently came under fire while attempting to traverse the strait.
The warning comes as shipping traffic through the strait remains heavily disrupted due to the ongoing blockade by Iran, which began on February 28. Approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters are currently stranded in the Gulf, following the initiation of a war by the U.S. and Israel. In response to the situation, U.S.
President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and has since seized an Iranian vessel attempting to evade the operation. Tehran, which controls the strategic waterway, recently proposed the introduction of cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe passage. The suggested crypto fees would likely be paid in bitcoin, according to Hamid Hosseini, spokesperson for Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union.
Marisks released its warning on Monday, stating that the messages were 'a scam' and did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fake messages reportedly read: 'After providing the documents and assessing your eligibility by the Iranian Security Services, we will be able to determine the fee to be paid in cryptocurrency (BTC or USDT). Only then will your vessel be able to transit the strait unimpeded at the pre-agreed time.'