ALBAWABA - A new scandal has deepened the crack in the Strait of Hormuz following the discovery of a scam group luring ships, strained at the waterway due to closure by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), for money for a safe passage.
According to news reports, the Indian-flagged oil tanker 'SANMAR HERALD', which was fired upon by Iranian gunboats last Sunday, fell victim to a crypto scam. In detail, the vessel was contacted by a fake IRGC group demanding crypto payments to guarantee a safe passage through the strait, and when it tried to pass, the real Iranian army opened fire at it.
Sources said that the ship was reportedly contacted by an Indian man claiming to represent the IRGC Navy. The captain then transferred a large amount of money in USDT, and was 'granted a right of passage', but he was shocked when the army opened fire at the vessel.
The revelation comes after an audio was leaked capturing the moment a sailor begged Tehran to let it turn back as it came under fire while passing through the waterway.
In the radio exchange between an Indian oil tanker captain and the Iranian navy, the ship captain said: "This is motor Vessel Sanmar Herald. You gave me clearance to go; my name is second on your list." He added, "You are firing now. Let me turn back."
According to The Sun, ship owners have received several fraud messeges claiming to represent the Iranian army and asking them to submit documents, assessing the ship's eligibility, then they request a fee to be paid in cryptocurrency (BTC or USDT).
Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz is completely closed and it won't allow any passage through it, and called on ship-owners not to fall for such crypto scams.
