Oil tanker attacked after falling for crypto scam granting fake Strait of Hormuz safe passage
CryptoSlate
An oil tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz after falling for a crypto scam offering fake safe passage.Summary
The oil tanker Sanmar Herald was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz after being tricked by a cryptocurrency scam that promised safe passage. The scam involved fake messages claiming to be from Iranian authorities, demanding payment in Bitcoin or Tether for transit. The vessel's crew believed they had clearance, but were fired upon by IRGC gunboats. Maritime risk firm MARISKS warned shipowners about these fraudulent messages. This incident highlights how digital instructions and cryptocurrency payments are becoming tools of coercion in critical maritime choke points like Hormuz, blurring the lines between legitimate administrative control and exploitation amidst geopolitical tensions.
(Source：CryptoSlate)