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Courier Scam Cyber Crime FedEx Indian Scam Security Seal

Beware of the FedEx Courier Scam: How Innocent Indians Are Losing Money

Beware of the FedEx Courier Scam

The FedEx courier scam has emerged as a cunning and heartless ploy to deceive unsuspecting victims. Operating primarily in India, this scam preys on people’s trust, fear, and lack of awareness. Let’s delve into the details of this treacherous scheme and understand how it ensnares its victims.

The Setup

Imagine receiving an automated phone call from an unknown number. The robotic voice on the other end declares, “Your FedEx Package Has Been Blocked…Press 1.” Innocent curiosity or concern prompts some to press that ominous button. And that’s when the trap is sprung.

The Script

The scammers impersonate airport officials, claiming to represent a fictitious FedEx courier office. Their narrative unfolds like a suspenseful thriller:

The Blocked Parcel: The victim is informed that a package in their name has been blocked at the airport. The reason? The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) supposedly discovered drugs in the parcel.

Personal Details: To lend credibility, the scammers reveal the victim’s personal information—details obtained from local cyber cafes, hotels, government offices, and other public spots. Armed with the victim’s Aadhaar card number, address, and more, they create an illusion of legitimacy.

The Threat: The call takes a sinister turn. The scammers pretend to transfer the call to NCB officials. They warn the victim that a case has been registered at a nearby police station. Fear sets in. Panic grips the unsuspecting recipient.

The Extortion: Now comes the real blow. The victim is coerced into paying hefty sums in the form of bribes and ‘fines.’ The scammers play on the victim’s vulnerability, threatening dire consequences if they fail to comply.

The Targets

The FedEx courier scam doesn’t discriminate. It targets senior citizens, women, and anyone deemed gullible. The scammers exploit the victim’s emotional state, creating an atmosphere of urgency and impending doom. Victims, even those well-versed with the internet, fall prey to this elaborate ruse.

Real-Life Impact

The impact is devastating. Consider the case of a 70-year-old journalist in Bengaluru who lost a staggering ₹1.20 crore to this fraudulent scheme. Despite never having sent or expected any packages, he was told that the mysterious parcel originated from Mumbai. Fear and confusion clouded his judgment, leading to financial ruin.

Staying Vigilant

As the scam evolves, so must our vigilance. Here are some precautions to safeguard against such frauds:

Verification: Always verify unexpected calls or messages related to packages. Contact the courier company directly using official channels.

Awareness: Educate family members, especially the elderly, about these scams. Awareness is our best defense.

Personal Information: Guard your personal information zealously. Be cautious about sharing sensitive details, even seemingly innocuous ones.

Report: If you encounter such a scam, report it to the authorities immediately. Your vigilance could save others from falling into the same trap.

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Personal Data
Courier Scam Cyber Fraud Cybersecurity Financial Fraud Fraud Call Personal Data

Deceptive Calls in Kolkata, Residents Targeted in Elaborate Scam

 

In a concerning trend, an increasing number of Kolkatans are falling victim to sophisticated scams orchestrated by fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials. The scam involves duping individuals into believing that a consignment of illegal articles has been booked in their names, leading them to face interrogation by supposed cops from another state via video calls at hotels. 

Reports from police sources indicate that victims receive calls informing them of the purported consignment and urging them to leave their homes or offices immediately to undergo interrogation. The fraudsters employ persuasive tactics, insisting that compliance is necessary to avoid legal repercussions. One such incident occurred recently when a resident of Chetla received such a call and hastily left his workplace to participate in a supposed police interrogation conducted via Skype. 

Fortunately, the intervention of a vigilant friend prevented him from being swindled. The friend recognized the potential fraud and advised him to disconnect the call, averting any financial loss. During these deceptive interrogations, victims are instructed not to communicate with anyone else, including family members, further isolating them from potential assistance. The fraudsters exploit the victims' fear and vulnerability, making them susceptible to coercion. 

The scam has evolved from previous tactics where fraudsters posed as representatives of courier companies to extort money from victims. Now, they employ a more elaborate ruse, convincing individuals to relocate to hotels for virtual interrogations under the guise of law enforcement procedures. The fraudsters utilize personal information such as PAN and Aadhaar card numbers to lend credibility to their claims, instilling a sense of urgency and fear in their targets. 

Victims, believing their identity documents have been implicated in illegal activities, are manipulated into complying with the fraudsters' demands. The consequences of falling victim to such scams can be severe, not only resulting in financial loss but also potentially damaging the victim's reputation and inviting legal trouble. 

It is essential for individuals to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited calls or demands, especially those involving sensitive personal information or coercive instructions. Law enforcement authorities have cautioned the public against divulging personal information or complying with suspicious requests from unknown callers. They advise individuals to verify the authenticity of such communications by contacting official channels or seeking assistance from trusted sources. 

In light of these incidents, it is crucial for residents to exercise caution and awareness when dealing with unfamiliar or unexpected requests, particularly those involving legal matters. By staying informed and vigilant, individuals can protect themselves from falling prey to elaborate scams and fraudulent schemes. The recent surge in such scams underscores the importance of community awareness and proactive measures to combat cybercrime and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
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User Security
Courier Scam Cyber Fraud India Narcotics User Security

Hackers are Targeting Indians Via Novel Courier Scam

 

This year, a fresh scam is on the rise in India's metropolises, scamming people of their hard-earned money. 

Fraudsters posing as police officers or NCRB agents contact people in this new method, known as courier scam, accusing them of engaging in illegal activities involving sending and receiving parcels carrying drugs or other illegal substances.

The scammers then convince the victims that they will be contacted by police, and the entire money extortion racket begins to settle the false complaint against the victims.

The courier scam is primarily targeting people aged 35 to 50, and hundreds of cases have been reported to police this year. 

Modus operandi 

Courier scammers pose as customs officials and call their victims. They mention a parcel booked in their name and claim that it contained narcotic drugs or other banned substances. 

They would then pose as a police officer and speak with them about potential arrest. The victim, who is already terrified, tries to settle the false case by offering money to prevent arrest, which is then transferred to the scammers.

During calls, scammers use psychological tactics to distress victims and collect personal identification and bank details. They ask the victim to provide their Aadhaar number and other identification details, in addition to the bank information, in order to steal money from them.

In other cases, it starts with a missed call. When the person returns the call, they are transferred to an automated voice message informing them that they have reached a courier company's helpline, such as Fedex or Blue Dart. 

The other person on the phone then pretends to be a Mumbai police officer, claiming illegal drugs had been discovered in a parcel delivered to their address. The scammer then blackmails the victim into paying. 

A Bengaluru resident was recently duped out of Rs 1.52 crore after falling victim to the courier scam. On November 10, Debashish Das, 66, received a phone call from a man claiming to be a FedEx employee named Kartikeya. 

Das was then told by the employee that a case had been filed in Mumbai in relation to him after it was discovered that a courier sent to Taiwan under his name had six credit cards, an expired passport, and even 950g of MDMA drugs.

Das was instructed to make a Skype call to the Mumbai cybercrime police station in Andheri. The scammers were able to transfer all of the victim's funds, including his fixed deposits, totaling Rs 1.52 crore to their account after posing as police officers and informing him that bank accounts in his name had been linked to illegal activities. 

Prevention tips

  • Not providing an OTP, Aadhaar number, bank account information, or any other sensitive data. 
  • Be wary of unknown callers and those posing as bank, police, or other officials.
  • Never return calls from unknown or suspicious numbers. 
  • Before providing any information, double-check or verify the caller through official sources.
  • Avoid clicking on any suspicious links sent via text or WhatsApp.
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