Unknown actors have sent fraudulent cryptocurrency payment demands to shipping companies whose vessels remain stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz.
Greek maritime risk firm MARISKS issued an alert earlier this week, warning that the messages falsely claim to represent official Iranian authorities seeking transit fees.
As per the media reports, the messages demand payment in Bitcoin or Tether in exchange for vessel clearance and safe, unimpeded passage through the controlled strait.
The Maritime Risk Management company confirmed these messages are a scam and stated they were not sent by Iranian authorities, who gave no immediate comment.
It pertinent to mention here that hundreds of ships and around 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded in the Gulf after Iran reimposed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz previously carried roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas before the regional conflict began following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Iran briefly opened the strait on 18 April after ceasefire, but Iranian boats fired shots at least two vessels attempting to pass through.
MARISKS said it believes one vessel fired upon during that attempt had already paid the fraudulent cryptocurrency fee before being turned back.
The fraudulent message told recipients that Iranian Security Services would assess eligibility and confirm the required cryptocurrency fee only after documents were submitted.
Amid ongoing ceasefire talks, Tehran had separately proposed formal tolls on vessels seeking legitimate safe transit through the internationally significant chokepoint.
