![\"Security](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130413499,imgsize-48572,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/striat-of-hormuz.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nAs the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues to impact the world\u2019s oil supply, a new cyber threat has emerged for the thousands of sailors trapped in the Middle Eastern region: digital pirates running a cryptocurrency scam. MARISKS, a Greek maritime risk management firm, has issued a warning to shipping companies that messages that are being sent to vessels promising safe passage are fraudulent.As per a report by news agency Reuters, scammers are sending messages to vessels stranded west of one of the world\u2019s most vital oil waterways that they can get through the blocked waterway in exchange for a \u201cclearance fee\u201d paid in Bitcoin or Tether.\u201cThese specific messages are a scam,\u201d the company said, adding the message was not sent by Iranian authorities.<\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Iran’s BIG REVENGE! Drones ‘Hunt Down’ US Warships After Trump’s Troops STORM Touska Near Hormuz<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n The messages sent by these scammers appear to be coming from Iranian officials but they are from opportunists taking advantage of the geopolitical crisis.\u201cAfter providing the documents and assessing your eligibility by the Iranian Security Services, we will be able to determine the fee to be \u2060paid in cryptocurrency (BTC or USDT). Only then will your vessel be able to transit the strait unimpeded at the pre-agreed time,\u201d said the message cited by MARISKS, Reuters reported.MARISKS reportedly said that it believed that at least one of the vessels, \u2060which tried to exit the strait on Saturday (April 18) was hit by gunfire and was a victim of the fraud. The crew likely believed they had \u201cpre-cleared\u201d their passage by paying the \u2018fake fee\u2019.<\/p>\n The Strait of Hormuz, which usually handles 20% of the world\u2019s oil and gas, has been a scene of chaos since war broke out. While Iran has proposed official tolls for transit during ongoing ceasefire talks, MARISKS warns that \u201cunknown actors\u201d are now impersonating Iranian authorities to steal from shipowners.According to the report, roughly 20,000 seafarers and hundreds of ships are currently stuck on the either side of the Strait of Hormuz. The US blockade of Iranian ports and Iran\u2019s counter-blockade of the Strait have paralysed global energy shipments.<\/div>\n\nWhat message are scammers sending to vessels in Strait of Hormuz<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Thousands at risk due to this scam<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n