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

Fraudulent messages are being sent to shipowners, requesting cryptocurrency payments in exchange for unhindered passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one vessel has fallen prey to the scam. According to Reuters, Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping companies received messages from scammers posing as Iranian authorities, demanding bitcoin or USDT. The company believes that at least one ship has been a victim of the scam and was fired upon while attempting to navigate the strait. The warning comes as shipping traffic through the strait remains largely blocked by Iran, following the US and Israel's military action against the country. Approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters are currently stranded in the Gulf. The US has imposed a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and seized an Iranian vessel attempting to evade the operation. Recently, Tehran proposed the introduction of cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe transit, with the fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks has assured 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. Marisks has warned that these messages are fraudulent and do not come from legitimate authorities.