A Greek maritime risk firm, MARISKS, has issued a stark warning to shipping companies: vessels stranded near the Strait of Hormuz are being targeted by scammers demanding cryptocurrency for safe passage. These fraudulent messages, which impersonate Iranian authorities, are exploiting the heightened tensions and ongoing blockades in the vital global waterway.
Heightened Tensions in a Critical Waterway
The Strait of Hormuz is a choke point critical for global energy supplies, with nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passing through it. The region remains volatile, marked by a United States blockade on Iranian ports and Iran's fluctuating restrictions on transit.
As a result of these geopolitical complexities, hundreds of ships and an estimated 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded in the Gulf, creating a desperate situation that fraudsters are now attempting to exploit.
Fraudulent Demands for Bitcoin and Tether
According to MARISKS, the scam messages instruct companies to pay in Bitcoin (BTC) or Tether (USDT) to ensure their vessels can transit the strait unimpeded. One such message cited by the firm explicitly stated:
"After providing the documents and assessing your eligibility by the Iranian Security Services, we will be able to determine the fee to be paid in cryptocurrency (BTC or USDT). Only then will your vessel be able to transit the strait unimpeded at the pre-agreed time."
MARISKS has unequivocally declared these messages to be a scam, clarifying that they do not originate from official Iranian sources. Despite this, the firm believes at least one ship that recently attempted to leave and subsequently came under fire may have been influenced by this fraud.
Unconfirmed Incidents and Verification Challenges
On April 18, Iran briefly opened the strait with checks in place. Reports indicate that some ships attempting to pass were fired upon, forcing them to turn back. While MARISKS suggests a potential link between these incidents and the ongoing fraud, there has been no immediate comment from Tehran, and Reuters could not independently verify which companies received the illicit demands.
The warning underscores the urgent need for shipping companies to exercise extreme caution and verify all communications regarding passage through the Strait of Hormuz, especially those involving demands for cryptocurrency.