Strait of Hormuz Sees Toll Fraud, Ships Already Scammed and Shelled

Odaily News According to Al Jazeera, Greek maritime risk management company MARISKS has warned that unidentified individuals are impersonating Iranian authorities and sending messages to some shipping companies, demanding payment of transit fees in cryptocurrency in exchange for safe passage permits through the Strait of Hormuz. The company stated: "These specific messages are fraudulent; these emails were not sent by Iranian authorities." MARISKS indicated that, to its knowledge, at least one ship attempting to exit the strait and coming under artillery fire on Saturday was a victim of this scam. Due to Iran's renewed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US blockade of its ports, hundreds of ships and approximately 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded in the Gulf region, unable to pass through. (Jin10)