BlockBeats reported on April 21 that Greek maritime risk management company MARISKS warned of unidentified scammers impersonating Iranian authorities and sending fraudulent messages to shipping companies stranded in the western Strait of Hormuz, demanding so-called "clearance fees" in Bitcoin or USDT in exchange for safe passage through the strait. The company stated that at least one vessel, which was shot at by Iranian ships on April 18 while attempting to leave the strait, may have been a victim of this scam.
Earlier reports indicated that Iran proposed imposing tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz during ceasefire negotiations, with each oil tanker potentially paying up to $2 million, and allowing cryptocurrency payments. Meanwhile, the United States maintained its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran, after lifting it, reimposed the blockade on the Strait. Currently, the strait is blocked, leaving hundreds of ships and approximately 20,000 seafarers stranded. The temporary ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran is set to expire on April 23.
