Decoding Courier Fraud: How scammers operating as 'FedEx scam' dupe people of lakhs

Hyderabad: Have you heard of courier services fraud in the name of FedEx, Blue Dart, or DTDC? There have been numerous individuals who have become victims of the scams resulting in financial loss in lakhs.

What is courier scam?

A courier scam involves scammers making fraud calls, posing as representatives from FedEx and other courier services.

They deceive individuals by falsely asserting that the police have seized a parcel sent from/to a foreign country, supposedly addressed to the victim/from the victim. The victim is then instructed to communicate with the purported police authorities, often claiming to be from cities like Delhi or Mumbai.

Subsequently, another individual takes over the communication via phone or Skype, alleging that a parcel under the victim’s name has been confiscated, alleging that the parcel contained narcotics, fake passports or foreign currency.

They state that a legal case has been filed against the individual and instruct them to download the Skype app, claiming it is necessary for recording the victim’s statement through a video call. After the victim downloads and initiates the video call, the scammers then instruct the victim to display their Aadhaar or any other ID card.

Creating a tense atmosphere, the scammers coerce the victim into transferring money imposed as a fine to facilitate the release of the parcel and the withdrawal of the legal case.

They also use personal information such as Aadhaar card number, PAN, address and profession obtained from social media platforms and other sources to make the situation more realistic. They also use deceptive tactics by mentioning illicit substances like MDMA and foreign currency, and, in certain instances, threaten victims with the notion that a money laundering case has been registered against them.

Reports say there are a few cases when the scammers posed in police uniforms, displaying fake police ID cards during Skype video calls to create the illusion that they are authentic law enforcement officers. They would also use names of prominent officials in law enforcement agencies such as the CBI, Mumbai/Delhi police and customs to make the scam feel authentic.

During video calls, scammers take precautions to ensure the victim does not communicate with others and instruct them to move into a private room emphasising the confidentiality of the inquiry.

How many cases were reported?

A total of 64 cases were reported during 2022 and the number of reported cases increased to 645 in 2023. As of 2024, 64 cases have been reported.

The total loss to date is Rs 18,24,56,908 from which an amount of Rs 4,77,01,679 was recovered by the Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TSCSB) through collaboration with the National Cyber Reporting Portal (NCRP).

What precautions can one take?

- Always verify the identity of the individual or organisation reaching out to you, especially in matters involving legal issues or financial transactions.

- It is important to know that legitimate police officials usually do not use video calls to record statements and genuine customs officials do not conduct inquiries online.

- Use official contact information obtained from the official website or reliable sources.

- Since scammers often use spoofed calls, attempting a reverse call may reveal the lack of connectivity.

- Be cautious about sharing personal information online, especially on social media platforms. Avoid providing sensitive details like Aadhaar card numbers, PANs, or bank details unless necessary and to trusted entities.

- Enable 2FA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.

- Always educate yourself about the common scams and fraud tactics happening.

- When you get such calls, ask for official documentation and verify its authenticity if someone claims to be from a legal or government authority.

- If you receive suspicious communication, discuss it with trusted friends, family, or colleagues before taking any action.

- Always think twice when the caller speaks about money transfer.

- Use platforms like the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and toll-free number 1930 and cyber fraud registry WhatsApp number 8712672222 to report cyber crimes.