Scammers Target Ships with False Promises of Safe Passage through Hormuz

Shipping companies have been receiving deceptive messages requesting cryptocurrency payments in exchange for secure passage across the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting at least one vessel may have fallen victim to the scam. Marisks, a Greek maritime risk services company, has issued a warning after several shipping firms received messages from scammers posing as Iranian authorities, asking for bitcoin or USDT. The company believes that at least one ship was targeted and came under fire while attempting to navigate the strait over the weekend. The Strait of Hormuz has seen significant disruptions to shipping traffic since the blockade was initiated, leaving around 20,000 oil tankers and freighters stranded in the Gulf. This comes after the US and Israel launched a military operation against Iran, prompting Tehran to propose cryptocurrency tolls for safe passage. Marisks has assured that these messages are scams and do not originate from official Iranian sources, warning shipowners to be cautious of such fraudulent requests.