Scammers impersonating Iranian authorities extort cryptocurrency "customs fees" from ships near the Strait of Hormuz.

BlockBeats News, April 21 — According to Greek maritime risk management company MARISKS, unidentified scammers are impersonating Iranian authorities and sending fraudulent messages to shipping companies stranded in the western part of the Strait of Hormuz, requesting so-called “customs clearance fees” to be paid in Bitcoin or USDT in exchange for safe passage of their vessels through the strait. The company said that at least one vessel, which attempted to leave the strait on April 18, may have been a victim of such a scam after being shot at by an Iranian vessel.

Previously, it was reported that Iran proposed charging tolls for ships passing through the strait during ceasefire negotiations, with each oil tanker paying up to 2 million dollars, and allowing cryptocurrency payments. Meanwhile, the U.S. maintains a blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has temporarily lifted and then reimposed the blockade on the strait. Currently, passage through the strait is obstructed, trapping hundreds of ships and about 20,000 seafarers. The temporary ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran is set to expire on April 23.