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News India Live, Digital Desk: Amidst the ongoing tension in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, now ‘digital pirates’ have created a ruckus. Global shipping companies, whose ships are stranded in this strategic waterway, are now falling victim to a major crypto scam. The fraudsters, posing as Iranian officials, are demanding ‘clearance fees’ worth millions of dollars in exchange for providing safe passage to the ships. This fraud has raised serious questions on the security of international maritime trade. This is how the web of fraud is being woven. Greek maritime risk management firm MARISKS has issued an international alert saying that fraudsters have sent fake messages to the owners of stranded ships. These messages claim that if the company pays in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) or Tether (USDT), their ship will be allowed to pass without any restrictions by the Iranian security services. Message from the fraudsters: “After the documents are checked and the eligibility is decided by the Iranian security services, you will have to pay the fees in crypto. Only after this your ship will be able to leave safely at the pre-determined time.” Had to face firing: According to reports, at least one ship fell into this trap and suffered heavy losses. On Saturday (April 18), a tanker tried to sail through the strait thinking it had cleared its way by paying ‘fake fees’. But as the ship proceeded, it was fired upon by Iranian patrol boats, forcing it to turn back. The crew thought they were ‘pre-cleared’ when they were actually trapped by cyber criminals. Hormuz: The Achilles heel of the global economy The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important oil transit route, carrying about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Currently, about 20,000 sailors and hundreds of ships are stranded in the middle of the sea due to the blockade of Iranian ports by the US and the restrictions imposed on the waterways by Iran. Taking advantage of this geopolitical instability, hackers and scammers are targeting shipping companies. Maritime security agencies warn that MARISKS and other security agencies have made it clear that no such crypto-payment has been officially demanded by the Iranian authorities. Companies have been advised not to trust any unknown emails or messages and to use only official diplomatic channels. Making crypto payments is not only causing financial loss, but it can also be a violation of international sanctions, putting companies at risk of legal action.