Crypto scammers offering safe transit for ship through Hormuz: reports

Scammers are reportedly targeting shipping firms in the Strait of Hormuz, sending them phishing messages that promise “safe passage” in exchange of cryptocurrency. The fraudulent messages are addressed to companies, asking them to submit vessel documents for review by Iranian security services, after which a transit fee would be determined.

As per sources, hundreds of ships still remain stuck near the Strait of Hormuz, and this gave fraudsters an opportunity, unknown actors are pretending to be Iranian officials, and they are asking shipping  companies to pay in cryptocurrency to allow their vessels to pass through the blocked route, as per the Greek maritime risk firm MARIKS.

The messages are reportedly demanding fees in Bitcoin or Tether, and they were not sent by the Iranian authorities, as per the firm. These alerts came to light as the Strait of Hormuz, which once facilitated the passage of nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, now stands effectively blockaded, and has remained effectively shut to commercial shipping.

As per reports, when Iran briefly reopened the strait for passage subject to inspections, at least two vessels, including a tanker, reported coming under fire from Iranian patrol boats and were forced to turn back. MARISKS reportedly said one of those vessels appeared to have fallen victim to the fraud before attempting to transit.

On April 18, when Iran briefly reopened the strait under controlled conditions, several ships attempted to pass through. However, two Indian vessels came under fire from Iranian forces, forcing them to turn back.