Scam Messages Offer Ships Safe Transit Through Hormuz, Greek Firm Warns

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The Strait of Hormuz.

Fraudulent messages promising safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency have been sent to several shipping companies with vessels stranded west of the waterway, according to a warning issued by Greek maritime risk management firm MARISKS.

The U.S. has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has lifted and later reimposed restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route through which around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas had passed before the outbreak of war in the Middle East.

Amid ongoing ceasefire talks, Tehran, which controls the strategic chokepoint, has proposed tolls for vessels seeking secure transit.

In an alert issued on Monday, MARISKS said unidentified actors claiming to represent Iranian authorities had contacted some shipping companies demanding transit fees in cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Tether, in exchange for “clearance”.

"These specific messages are a scam," the firm said, adding the message was not sent by Iranian authorities.
There was no immediate comment from Tehran.

Hundreds of ships and around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf as disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz.

On 18 April, when Iran briefly reopened the strait subject to inspections, several vessels attempted to pass. However, at least two ships, including an oil tanker, reported that Iranian boats fired warning shots at them, forcing the vessels to turn back.

MARISKS said that it believed that at least one of the vessels, ⁠which tried to exit the strait on Saturday and was hit by gunfire, was a victim of the fraud.

"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," said the message cited by MARISKS.

Source: Reuters



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