Scammers Impersonate Iranian Authorities Demanding Bitcoin or USDT as 'Toll', Ships Attacked After Payment

On April 22, CoinDesk reported that scammers impersonating Iranian authorities are demanding cryptocurrency payments in exchange for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with at least one ship potentially falling victim to the scheme. Greek maritime risk service company Marisks issued a warning that several shipping companies have received scam messages posing as Iranian authorities, requesting payments in Bitcoin or USDT. The company believes that at least one ship fell victim to this scam over the weekend and was attacked while attempting to pass through the strait. Marisks stated, ‘This specific information is a scam,’ and confirmed that the related information did not come from official Iranian sources. The original scam message released by Marisks stated, ‘After submitting documents and assessment of qualifications by the Iranian security department, we will determine the fees to be paid in cryptocurrency (BTC or USDT). Only then will your vessel be allowed to pass freely through the strait at the agreed time.’ Since the U.S. and Israel launched military actions against Iran on February 28, passage through the Strait of Hormuz has essentially been blocked by Iran, with around 20,000 oil tankers and other cargo ships currently stranded in the Gulf. A week ago, U.S. President Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and since then, an Iranian vessel attempting to evade the operation has been seized. On April 9, Iranian authorities controlling the strategic waterway proposed charging a cryptocurrency toll for safe passage, with Hamid Hosseini, a spokesperson for the Iranian Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters Union, stating that the toll could be settled in Bitcoin. The Iranian side has yet to comment on Marisks’ warning.