Fake Customs/Parcel Fraud
Pause, verify the request through an official channel and never act under pressure.
What is this fraud?
A caller claims a parcel in the victim's name contains illegal items or is held by customs/courier authorities.
How does it happen?
The call is transferred to fake police officials who demand money for clearance, penalties, account verification or to avoid arrest.
Warning signs
Parcel you did not send; threat of narcotics/money-laundering case; demand for secrecy or video call; payment to a personal account.
How to stay safe
Verify directly with the courier using the official tracking site and contact customs/police independently. Never transfer funds to prove innocence.
If you are a victim
Stop communicating, call 1930, inform the bank, report online and preserve tracking numbers, calls, notices and beneficiary details.
Evidence to preserve
Keep transaction IDs or UTRs, bank messages, screenshots, chats, emails, phone numbers, profiles, URLs, app details, and the exact date and time. Preserve original files without editing or deleting them.
Official reporting
For financial cyber fraud, call 1930 immediately, notify your bank or payment provider, and file a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal ↗. General technical advisories are available from CERT-In ↗.