Scammers demand crypto fees from ships near Strait of Hormuz

Greek maritime risk firm MARISKS warned on Monday that unknown actors impersonating Iranian authorities have told ships stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz to pay Bitcoin or USDT as a “clearance” or transit fee in exchange for safe passage. The messages promised vessels could cross the waterway “unimpeded at the pre-agreed time” once documentation was reviewed and cryptocurrency was paid.

The actors asked shipping operators to submit paperwork for review by purported Iranian security services before setting a transit fee in cryptocurrency. MARISKS reported several shipping companies received the messages and said at least one vessel that attempted to exit the strait on April 18 and was struck by gunfire from Iranian boats may have been targeted by the fraudulent messages.

The incidents come as the corridor faces competing restrictions. U.S. forces have maintained a blockade of Iranian ports that began about a week earlier, and Iranian authorities have lifted and then reimposed their closure of the strait. Before the current regional conflict, the passage handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Iran has proposed charging vessels tolls for safe transit during ongoing ceasefire talks. Industry estimates have suggested fees could reach as much as $2 million per tanker and that payments might be accepted in cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and stablecoins. Hamid Hosseini, a spokesperson for Iran's Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters' Union, put the toll at about $1 per barrel of oil.

MARISKS advised shipping firms to verify any official requests through known government and company channels and to avoid transferring funds to unverified contacts. The firm urged operators in the area to treat requests for cryptocurrency payments with caution and to confirm the authenticity of communications before taking action.