BIMCO warns shipowners of a scam in the Strait of Hormuz involving fake Iranian officials demanding crypto payments for passage permits.
BIMCO has warned its members about a new scam targeting ship owners and operators operating around the Strait of Hormuz. The organization's Security and Safety Director, Jakob Larsen, stated that individuals posing as Iranian officials are demanding payments by promising 'safe passage permits' for vessels.
According to the warning, the fraudulent messages request that a 'transit fee' be paid in cryptocurrency for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without issues. It has been reported that the requested payments are typically in Bitcoin or Tether.
Information shared by MARISKS indicates that messages sent to some ship operators suggested that fees would be determined after the examination of ship documents, and the transit time would be communicated after payment. However, it was emphasized that these messages have no connection to Iranian authorities.
BIMCO urged companies operating in the region to trust only instructions received through official channels, to refrain from processing payment requests from third parties without verification, and to share any suspicious contacts with security advisors.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
