A woman from Kerala recently fell prey to a custom fraud incurring a loss of Rs 12 lakh.The ordeal began when the woman received a call demanding Rs 15,000 as customs duty for a gift she was allegedly expecting. Believing the caller to be a genuine customs official, she paid the amount. However, the demands escalated as the fraudsters claimed to have discovered higher-value items in the parcel, including dollars worth Rs 10 lakh. The victim continued to pay as instructed, only to realise the scam when a friend alerted her.
The government’s fact-checking division, ‘PIB Fact Check,’ recently issued a warning to internet users about Customs-related fraud through a post on X. The post features a video demonstrating how scammers deceive people, accompanied by a voice clip detailing the criminals’ tactics in these scams. It also provides essential guidelines to help individuals protect themselves from falling victim to such schemes.
For those unaware, PIB Fact Check, as the name implies, checks for fake news and misinformation related to the Government of India.
How the scammers operate
In the voice clip shared, scammers impersonate an officer from the Indian Customs department when they call their target. The call begins with a pre-recorded message, claiming there’s an issue with a parcel the target was sending online, or that the package contains something illegal.
The message then prompts the user to press “9” for more details or support. Once “9” is pressed, the call connects to a representative who also pretends to be from the Customs department.
Typically, the scammers attempt to intimidate or blackmail the target by alleging illegal contents in the package or demanding payment under the guise of taxes. This is where the scam unfolds.
What can you do in case of custom fraud
First and foremost, confirm whether you or anyone in your family has actually sent a courier. If not, it’s best to ignore the call. To be extra cautious, you can verify any communication from Indian Customs using the Document Identification Number (DIN) on CBIC’s website.
Additionally, avoid clicking on any links sent to your phone, no matter how genuine they appear. Refrain from sharing any personal information over the call, as scammers can use that information to trap you further.
Finally, be sure to report the incident to your local police or the Cyber Crime department.
