Scammers Target Ships Stranded by Hormuz Blockade with Fake Crypto Payment Schemes

Shipping companies are being targeted by fraudulent messages asking for cryptocurrency payments in exchange for unhindered passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one vessel may have fallen victim to the scam. According to a recent alert issued by Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, several shipping firms have received messages from scammers posing as Iranian authorities, requesting bitcoin or USDT payments. The warning comes as shipping traffic through the strait remains largely blocked by Iran, following the initiation of a war by the US and Israel. Approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters are currently stranded in the Gulf. The situation has been further complicated by a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with one Iranian vessel seized while attempting to evade the operation. In a recent proposal, Tehran suggested introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels in exchange for safe transit, with fees likely to be charged in bitcoin. Marisks has assured that the messages demanding crypto payments are scams and do not originate from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent messages typically state that after providing documents and assessing eligibility, the Iranian Security Services will determine the fee to be paid in cryptocurrency, allowing the vessel to transit the strait unimpeded at a pre-agreed time.