The Indian government has denied reports that tanker Sanmar Herald paid cryptocurrency or cash to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, calling the claims false.
Officials said the vessel’s operator, Sanmar Shipping, confirmed that no such payment occurred and dismissed the allegations entirely.
“News is spreading about a reported payment by the captain of the vessel Sanmar Herald in US dollar to persons claiming to represent the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy to grant passage, and fell victim to cyber criminals,”
Said Mukesh Manga, adding:
“We spoke with the owner of the vessel, and he confirmed that it is fake news and no such incident had happened.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs also rejected suggestions that the ship had been targeted in a crypto scam linked to Iranian authorities.
The claims followed warnings from maritime risk firm MARISKS about fraudsters impersonating Iranian officials and demanding payments in Bitcoin or Tether.
According to the advisory, scammers request vessel documentation and then issue fake transit fee demands to ships operating in sensitive waterways.
Authorities clarified that a separate incident involving a vessel being fired upon in April is not connected to any alleged payment scheme, underscoring ongoing security risks in the region.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $77,618.36.