Athens, Greece. Greek maritime risk management firm MARISKS has warned that fraudulent messages promising safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency have been sent to some shipping companies. The messages targeted companies with vessels stranded west of the waterway, the firm said.
MARISKS alert on alleged transit fee demands
MARISKS said it issued an alert on Monday warning shipowners that unknown actors, claiming to represent Iranian authorities, had sent messages demanding transit fees in cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin or Tether, for “clearance.” The firm said the messages were a scam and were not sent by Iranian authorities.
Blockades and proposed tolls amid ceasefire talks
The U.S. has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has lifted and then re-imposed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passed before war broke out in the Middle East. Amid ceasefire talks, Tehran, which controls the chokepoint, has proposed tolls on vessels to safely transit.
No immediate comment from Tehran
There was no immediate comment from Tehran.
Ships and seafarers stranded in the Gulf
Hundreds of ships and about 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf, according to the report.
April 18 passage attempt and reported gunfire
On April 18, when Iran briefly opened the strait subject to checks, ships tried to pass, but at least two of them, including a tanker, reported that Iranian boats had fired shots at them, forcing the vessels to turn around.
Suspected link between fraud and gunfire incident
MARISKS said it believed that at least one vessel, which tried to exit the strait on Saturday and was hit by gunfire, was a victim of the fraud.
Reuters unable to verify
Reuters said it was not able to verify the information or track companies that had received the message.
Have you received any messages requesting cryptocurrency payments for transit clearance through the Strait of Hormuz?