Scammers Target Ships with Fake 'Safe Passage' Offers 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 prey to the scam. According to Reuters, Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping companies received fake messages from scammers claiming to be Iranian authorities and 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 February 28, following the initiation of a war by the U.S. and Israel, leaving approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. In response to the U.S. naval blockade, Tehran proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe passage, with fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks released its warning on Monday, stating that the messages were scams and did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fake messages assured shipowners that upon providing the necessary documents and payment in cryptocurrency, their vessels would be granted unimpeded passage through the strait at a pre-agreed time.