Shipowners and maritime companies seeking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in recent days have been targeted with fraudulent cryptocurrency payment requests sent using fake identities. According to Reuters, these scam messages demand bitcoin (BTC) or USDT payments in exchange for the safe passage of vessels. At least one vessel reportedly fell for the scheme and was attacked while attempting to transit the strait last weekend.
Fraudsters impersonate authorities
The issue gained prominence after a warning from Marisks, a Greece-based maritime security consultancy. The company revealed that numerous shipping firms received fake messages from individuals posing as Iranian officials, claiming that safe passage would be guaranteed only if payment was made via cryptocurrency. The incident highlights emerging fraud tactics that shipowners now confront in international waters.
Marisks emphasized in its warning that these messages did not originate from any official Iranian sources. In one of the fake messages shared by the firm, the scammers wrote:
Following an evaluation by Iranian Security Services, the required amount to be paid in cryptocurrency (BTC or USDT) will be determined upon your submission of compliance documents. Only after completing this payment will your vessel be allowed passage through the strait at the scheduled time, without issues.
Tensions escalate in the region
This case of fraud arises against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Since the start of a joint military operation by the United States and Israel last month, Iran has largely halted transit through the strait as of February 28. According to Reuters, around 20,000 oil tankers and cargo ships are currently waiting in the region.
Last week, US President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade in the strait. During the operation, an Iranian-flagged ship attempting an illegal crossing was reportedly seized and detained.
No official statement from Iran
Reuters notes that, on April 9, Iranian authorities announced plans to enable cryptocurrency payments for passage through the strait. Hamid Hosseini, spokesperson for the Iranian Association of Petroleum, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters, stated that most of these payments would likely be made with bitcoin. However, since Marisks issued its warning, no official statement has been released by Iran addressing the fraudulent messages.
Maritime companies have yet to issue any official responses regarding these developments.
Marisks experts explained, “Messages like these are complete fraud. They have no connection to Iran’s official authorities.”
The incident underscores that, beyond the region’s geopolitical risks, there is now also the added threat of cyber-related schemes targeting maritime operations. Industry officials urge heightened vigilance against such scams.
