Scammers Target Ships Stranded by Hormuz Blockade with Fake 'Safe Passage' Offers

A maritime risk services company has alerted shipowners to a scam in which fraudsters pose as Iranian authorities, offering 'safe passage' through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. According to reports, at least one ship may have fallen victim to the scam. The scammers are sending fraudulent messages to shipping companies, claiming to be from official Iranian sources and requesting payment in bitcoin or USDT in order to allow vessels to pass through the strait unimpeded. The warnings come as shipping traffic through the strait remains largely blocked, with around 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. The situation has been exacerbated by a US-led naval blockade and tensions between Iran and the US. Iran had previously proposed introducing cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe transit, with fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. However, the maritime risk company has assured shipowners that the messages are a scam and did not originate from official Iranian sources.