Scammers Impersonating Iranian Officials Demand Bitcoin and USDT from Ships in Strait of Hormuz

Gate News message, April 21 — Scammers posing as Iranian officials are demanding Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT) as transit fees from ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a warning from MARISKS, a Greece-based maritime risk management firm. The scheme falsely promises “safe transit authorization” through the strategic waterway.

Hundreds of ships and approximately 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded in the Gulf, with at least one vessel reported as a potential target of the scam. The blockade followed Iran’s temporary reopening of the strait last Friday, which was reversed after the U.S. continued its port blockade.

The U.S.-Iran temporary ceasefire agreement expires on April 23. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. will not lift its port blockade until an agreement is reached with Iran. A second round of talks between the two countries is expected.