Scam messages offering ships safe transit through Hormuz, security firm warns

Fraudulent messages promising safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency have been sent to some shipping companies whose vessels are stranded west of the waterway, Greek maritime risk management firm Marisks has warned.

Marisks on Monday issued an alert warning shipowners that unknown actors, claiming to represent Iranian authorities, had sent some shipping companies a message demanding transit fees in cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin or Tether, for “clearance”.

"These specific messages are a scam," the firm said, adding the message was not sent by Iranian authorities.