Crypto scammers are preying on the thousands of ships stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, falsely promising safe passage for a Bitcoin fee.

In an alarming development, MARISKS, a Greek maritime risk management company, warned shipowners about these scams on April 20. Scammers posing as Iranian authorities demanded payments in bitcoin or tether from shipping companies seeking to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

This incident is particularly concerning given Iran's assertion of control over the strait, where they have been demanding crypto payments and routing inspections for oil tankers passing through. MARISKS identified at least one ship that may have fallen victim to these scams after attempting passage on April 18, though confirmation remains pending.

Further complications arise as the Liberian cargo ship Epaminondas, owned by Technomar shipping and operated by MSC, was fired upon after receiving a message purportedly granting permission to pass through. Authorities are investigating whether this message may have been fraudulent, highlighting the complexity of maritime safety in the region.