Crypto scam lures ships into Strait of Hormuz, falsely promising safe passage
Source: Ars Technica
Background
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime chokepoint through which roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass. Iran has asserted control over the strait, demanding cryptocurrency payments from oil tankers to obtain permission to transit and requiring vessels to follow a prescribed route near Iran’s coastline for inspection【https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/04/iran-demands-cryptocurrency-toll-from-tankers-passing-through-strait-of-hormuz/】.
Scam warning from MARISKS
On 20 April, the Greek maritime risk‑management firm MARISKS warned shipowners that scammers posing as Iranian authorities were sending messages that requested “transit fee” payments in Bitcoin or Tether【https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/scam-messages-offering-ships-safe-transit-through-hormuz-security-firm-warns-2026-04-21/】.
The warning highlighted the risk that shipping companies could be tricked into believing they had paid Iran for safe passage, especially given the real‑world demand for crypto tolls.
Reported incidents
April 18 attempt
MARISKS identified a vessel that may have fallen victim to the crypto scam after it tried to pass through the strait on 18 April. According to the firm, the ship turned back after Iranian military forces fired upon it during a brief window when Iran claimed it was allowing inspections. Reuters could not independently confirm the details, but the incident underscores the danger for the roughly 2,000 ships and 20,000 mariners still stranded near the strait.
Epaminondas incident (22 April)
The Liberia‑flagged cargo ship Epaminondas, owned by Greek company Technomar Shipping and operated by MSC, was fired upon after reportedly receiving permission to transit the strait. Authorities are investigating whether the message granting safe passage was fraudulent【https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1301600/greek-owned-container-ship-reportedly-fired-upon-in-strait-of-hormuz-crew-safe/】.
These cases illustrate how crypto‑based scams are being leveraged amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.