Shipping Companies Targeted by Cryptocurrency Scammers Posing as Hormuz Authorities

Reports are emerging of scammers targeting shipping companies with vessels stuck west of the Strait of Hormuz, posing as Iranian authorities and offering fake clearance in exchange for cryptocurrency payments.

The scam involves messages claiming to come from Iranian security services, which demand documents and a fee payable in Bitcoin or Tether (USDT) before allowing the ship to pass through the strait unimpeded. MARISKS, a Greek risk firm, has warned that at least one vessel may have fallen for the fraud.

The Strait of Hormuz has been a hotbed of activity in recent weeks, with Iranian authorities imposing and re-imposing blockades on shipping traffic. The United States has also maintained its blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran has proposed tolls for ships seeking safe transit. Hundreds of ships and around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf.