Scammers Target Shipping Companies with Fake 'Safe Passage' Offers Through Hormuz

Shipping companies have been receiving deceptive messages requesting crypto payments in exchange for secure transit through the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one vessel may have fallen victim to the scam. According to Reuters, Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping firms received messages from scammers impersonating Iranian authorities, asking for bitcoin or USDT payments. The company believes that at least one ship was targeted and came under fire while attempting to navigate the strait over the weekend. The blockade of the strait by Iran, which began on February 28, has resulted in approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters being stranded in the Gulf. In response to the US and Israel's military actions, Iran has proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe passage. The Iranian government has not commented on the scam warnings issued by Marisks, which stated that the messages were not from official Iranian sources. The fraudulent messages, cited by Marisks, claim that upon providing documents and paying a cryptocurrency fee, vessels will be allowed to transit the strait unimpeded at a pre-agreed time.