image sourced from original article at A Greek maritime risk management firm has warned shipping companies that fraudulent messages are being sent to vessels stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, promising safe passage in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. The firm stressed that these messages are not from Iranian authorities but from scammers exploiting the ongoing geopolitical crisis.
According to reports, the messages claim that ships can transit the blocked waterway after paying a 'clearance fee' in digital currencies such as Bitcoin or Tether. The scammers instruct crews to submit documents for review by alleged Iranian security services before a fee is determined, falsely assuring them of unimpeded passage at a scheduled time.
The company believes at least one vessel that attempted to leave the strait was fired upon after falling victim to the fraud, with its crew likely assuming they had secured safe transit by paying the fake fee. Around 20,000 seafarers and hundreds of ships remain stuck as tensions between Iran and the United States have effectively halted traffic through the strategic waterway, which normally carries about one fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply.
