TLDR
- Scammers are impersonating Iranian authorities to demand Bitcoin and USDT payments from ships wanting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
- Maritime security firm MARISKS confirmed the messages are fraudulent and not from any Iranian government body
- At least one ship may have paid the scammers before being fired on by Iranian forces
- Over 20,000 ships remain stranded in the region due to the US-Iran conflict
- Trump has extended the US-Iran ceasefire to allow time for Iran to present a consensus proposal
Crypto scammers are targeting commercial ships stuck near the Strait of Hormuz. They are posing as Iranian officials and demanding Bitcoin and USDT payments to allow safe passage through the waterway.
🚨SCAMMERS DEMAND BITCOIN FOR HORMUZ PASSAGE
Fraudsters posing as Iranian authorities are demanding $BTC and $USDT payments from shipping firms seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as per maritime risk firm MARISKS.
At least one vessel reportedly fired on over the… pic.twitter.com/MC1e1XaJoq
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) April 23, 2026
Maritime risk firm MARISKS flagged the scam after shipping companies received fake messages. The firm confirmed the messages did not come from any Iranian government authority.
The fake messages told ship operators to submit their documents for review. They claimed Iranian Security Services would assess eligibility before naming a fee in Bitcoin or USDT.
One message read: “Only then will your vessel be able to transit the strait unimpeded at the pre-agreed time.” The language was designed to sound official and credible.
MARISKS believes at least one ship may have already fallen for the scam. Iranian forces shot at two vessels attempting to leave the strait on Saturday, and one of those ships is thought to have paid the fraudsters.
The scam is built on a real proposal. Iran has discussed charging commercial ships a toll in cryptocurrency to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This gave the fake messages a layer of believability.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes. Around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through it.
The waterway has been disrupted by ongoing tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran. The US has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has at times closed the strait entirely.
Ships Stranded as Tensions Persist
More than 20,000 ships are currently stranded in the region. The uncertainty has left many shipping operators desperate for a way through.
That desperation has created an opening for fraudsters. Some operators appear willing to pay tolls, even ones that could breach US sanctions, just to move their cargo.
Ceasefire Extended, Blockade Remains
US President Donald Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran before it expired. He posted on Truth Social that Iran needed more time to present a consensus proposal.
The extension delays any planned US military action against Iran. However, Trump confirmed the US military will continue its blockade of Iranian ports.
The situation remains fluid. Iran has alternated between closing and opening the strait over recent weeks, keeping shipping companies on edge.
MARISKS continues to monitor the situation and has urged shipping operators to verify any payment requests through official channels before transferring funds.
