Scammers Promise Unhindered Passage Through Hormuz in Exchange for Cryptocurrency

Reports have emerged of shipping companies receiving fake messages asking for cryptocurrency payments in order to guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with at least one vessel allegedly falling victim to the scam. According to Reuters, Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, has issued a warning about these fraudulent messages, which are purportedly from scammers posing as Iranian authorities and requesting bitcoin or USDT payments. The firm believes that at least one ship has been targeted and was fired upon while attempting to navigate the strait over the weekend. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked by Iran since late February, resulting in approximately 20,000 oil tankers and freighters being stranded in the Gulf. Recently, the U.S. initiated a naval blockade of the strait and seized an Iranian vessel trying to evade the operation. In response, Tehran proposed the introduction of cryptocurrency tolls for vessels seeking safe transit, with the fees likely to be paid in bitcoin. Marisks has since alerted shipowners to the scam, stating that the messages did not originate from official Iranian sources. The fake messages claim that upon providing the necessary documents and payment in cryptocurrency, the vessel will be granted unimpeded passage through the strait at a pre-agreed time.