"The first warning of such a crypto scam came from the Greek maritime risk management company MARISKS on April 20, according to Reuters. The company alerted shipowners that scammers posing as Iranian authorities had sent messages to shipping companies asking for 'transit fee' payments in bitcoin or tether."
"Iranian authorities have demanded cryptocurrency payments from oil tankers to pass through the waterway and required ships to follow a route near Iran's coastline to undergo inspection."
"MARISKS identified one ship as having potentially fallen victim to crypto scams after it attempted to pass through the strait on April 18, although Reuters was unable to confirm that information."
"On April 22, the Liberia-flagged cargo ship Epaminondas, owned by the Greek company Technomar shipping and operated by the global shipping company MSC, was fired upon after it had reportedly received permission to pass through the strait."
Scammers are targeting ships stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, demanding cryptocurrency payments for safe passage. MARISKS warned shipowners about scammers posing as Iranian authorities. Iran has asserted control over the strait, requiring ships to pay transit fees in bitcoin or tether. One ship may have fallen victim to these scams after being fired upon by Iranian forces. The Liberia-flagged cargo ship Epaminondas also faced gunfire after receiving a potentially fraudulent message granting safe passage. Approximately 2,000 ships and 20,000 mariners remain stranded in the area.
Read at Ars Technica
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