A serious security threat has emerged in the Middle East as fraudulent actors attempt to exploit the ongoing maritime crisis. According to a warning from the Greek maritime risk management firm MARISKS, shipping companies are being targeted by scam messages offering safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency payments.
The strategic waterway, a vital chokepoint for global oil and liquefied natural gas, has been the site of intense tension and blockades. Amidst the instability, unknown individuals claiming to represent Iranian authorities have sent solicitations to vessels currently stranded west of the waterway. These messages demand “transit fees” paid in Bitcoin or Tether to guarantee “clearance” and unimpeded travel. MARISKS has explicitly stated that these communications are not from official sources and are a complete fraud.
The situation turned dangerous on April 18 when Iran briefly opened the strait for transit subject to inspections. Several ships attempted to pass, but at least two vessels reported being targeted by gunfire from Iranian boats, forcing them to retreat. Security experts believe that at least one vessel targeted by gunfire may have been a victim of this cryptocurrency scam, having been misled into believing they had secured safe passage through these fraudulent channels.
Currently, hundreds of ships and approximately 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf as ceasefire talks continue. While Tehran has officially proposed legal tolls for transit, these unofficial demands for digital currency are a predatory tactic aimed at desperate shipowners. The US blockade of Iranian ports and the re-imposed restrictions on the strait have created a vacuum that cyber-criminals are now looking to fill. Maritime authorities are urging all shipping companies to maintain high vigilance and verify all transit protocols through official diplomatic channels to avoid falling victim to these high-stakes maritime scams.
