Industry
Crypto scam lures ships into Strait of Hormuz, falsely promising safe passage
Scammers are impersonating Iranian authorities and sending fraudulent messages to shipowners demanding Bitcoin or USDT payments for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The Athens-based firm MAR
Scammers are impersonating Iranian authorities and sending fraudulent messages to shipowners demanding Bitcoin or USDT payments for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The Athens-based firm MARISKS issued an alert cautioning that these fraudsters offer false guarantees of safe passage, exploiting shipping companies' fears amid the geopolitical crisis. At least one vessel believed to have paid for safe transit—the oil tanker Sanmar Herald—was reportedly attacked by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with radio transmissions capturing crew members pleading with Iranian forces as gunboats fired upon the vessel.
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Source: Ars Technica | 2026-04-22