Strait of Hormuz scam alert: Fake messages promise safe ship transit

Greek maritime risk management firm MARISKS has issued a warning regarding fake messages which are promising safe ship transit through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency.

According to the security firm, such kind of fraudulent messages were sent to some shipping companies whose vessels are grounded west of the waterway.

In recent development, Iran once again imposed blockade on the Strait of Hormuz after the US maintained its position not to lift the blockade of Iranian ports. The Strait holds a significant importance as a key passageway, shipping 20 percent of the world's oil and energy supplies.

In the wake of persistent blockade, some fraudsters or rogue actors claiming to represent Iranian authorities are involved in a scam, demanding transit fees in Bitcoin or Tether for facilitating the clearance.

"These specific messages are a scam," the firm said, adding the message was ​not sent by Iranian authorities.

"After providing the documents and assessing your eligibility by the Iranian Security Services, we will be able to determine the fee to be ⁠paid in ​cryptocurrency (BTC or USDT). Only then will your ​vessel be able to transit the strait unimpeded at the pre-agreed time," said the message cited ​by MARISKS.

Iran has not issued any comment on the scam alert. Until now, around hundreds of ships and about 20,000 seafarers remained stranded in the Gulf.

With a renewed hope to reach a peace agreement, both the US and Iranian officials are expected to resume high-level talks in Pakistan.