Region - Ekhbary News Agency
Maritime security experts are alerting the shipping industry to a new cryptocurrency scam exploiting the volatile situation around the Strait of Hormuz. Scammers, impersonating Iranian authorities, are reportedly contacting shipping companies and demanding 'transit fee' payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Tether for passage through the critical waterway. This tactic preys on the confusion and heightened risks associated with the strait, a vital chokepoint for global oil and LNG supply.
A maritime risk management firm, MARISKS, issued a warning on April 20, highlighting that at least one vessel may have fallen victim to such a scam on April 18. The ship, after allegedly receiving a fraudulent message promising safe passage, was fired upon by Iranian military forces and forced to turn back. The incident underscores the perilous environment for the approximately 2,000 ships and 20,000 mariners currently navigating the congested waters near the strait. The ongoing geopolitical tensions, including retaliatory actions between Iran and Western forces, have created an environment ripe for exploitation by criminal elements seeking to defraud vulnerable shipping operations.
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