Scammers Pose as Iranian Authorities to Offer Fake Safe Passage Through Hormuz

A wave of fraudulent messages is targeting shipowners, asking for cryptocurrency 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. According to a warning issued by Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, multiple shipping companies have received fake messages purporting to be from Iranian authorities, requesting bitcoin or USDT payments. The firm believes that at least one ship was duped and subsequently came under fire while attempting to navigate the strait over the weekend. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked by Iran since late February, leaving approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. The US has initiated a naval blockade of the strait and seized an Iranian vessel trying to evade the operation. Recently, Tehran proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe passage, with the fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks has assured shipowners that the messages are scams 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 to be paid, allowing the vessel to transit the strait unimpeded at a pre-agreed time.