Scammers Impersonating Iranian Authorities Demand Bitcoin and USDT as Strait Passage Fees; At Least One Vessel Attacked After Payment

Gate News message, April 22 — Scammers posing as Iranian authorities are demanding cryptocurrency payments in Bitcoin or USDT from shipping companies in exchange for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to CoinDesk. Greek maritime risk firm Marisks has issued a warning that multiple shipping companies have received fraudulent messages claiming to be from Iranian officials. At least one vessel fell victim to the scam over the weekend, attempting passage through the strait before being shelled.

Marisks released the original scam message, which states: “After submitting documents and being assessed by Iranian security authorities, we will determine the cryptocurrency (BTC or USDT) fees required. Your vessel will then be permitted free passage through the strait at the designated time.” The firm confirmed these communications are fraudulent and do not originate from official Iranian sources. Since February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked by Iranian authorities, with approximately 20,000 oil tankers and cargo vessels currently stranded in the Gulf.

One week prior, U.S. President Trump ordered a naval blockade of the strait, resulting in the seizure of an Iranian vessel attempting to circumvent the operation. On April 9, Iranian authorities had legitimately proposed collecting cryptocurrency passage fees from ships in exchange for safe transit, with a spokesman for Iran’s oil, gas, and petrochemical exporters federation, Hamid Hosseini, suggesting Bitcoin as a potential settlement method. Iranian officials have not yet commented on Marisks’ warning.