Shipping companies operating near the Strait of Hormuz are being targeted by a coordinated wave of scams, as opportunists exploit the uncertainty and disruption caused by the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. With hundreds of vessels stranded for weeks due to blockades and military risks, fraudsters are attempting to capitalise on the situation by sending deceptive messages that promise “safe passage” in exchange for cryptocurrency payments.
According to the Greek maritime risk firm MARISKS, these phishing messages falsely claim to originate from Iranian authorities or security services. The messages typically instruct shipowners to submit documents for “eligibility checks” and then pay a fee in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Tether to secure clearance for transit through the strait. However, the firm has clearly stated that these communications are fraudulent and not connected to any official Iranian process.
The scams are emerging in a highly volatile environment where the strait—one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints—has been repeatedly disrupted. The United States has enforced restrictions on vessels linked to Iran, while Tehran has alternated between closing and partially reopening the passage. This has left shipping companies in a state of confusion, with no consistent framework for safe navigation, making them particularly vulnerable to deception.
MARISKS has warned that at least one vessel may have already fallen victim to such a scheme after attempting to transit the strait and facing hostile conditions, including reported gunfire. The fraudulent messages are designed to appear credible, often using formal language and referencing security clearances, which increases the likelihood of compliance from desperate operators seeking a way out of the blockade.
The situation reflects a broader pattern where cyber-enabled fraud adapts quickly to real-world crises. Much like organised phishing networks seen in other sectors, these scams rely on urgency, fear, and lack of verified information to manipulate targets. In this case, the combination of geopolitical conflict, restricted maritime movement, and financial pressure on shipping firms has created an ideal environment for such exploitation.
Authorities and maritime risk analysts are urging shipping companies to verify all communications through official diplomatic or naval channels and to avoid any financial transactions based on unsolicited messages. As long as the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continues, experts expect these scams to persist, evolving alongside the unfolding crisis.
