The Indian government has recently issued a warning about a new scam in which citizens are getting fraudulent calls purportedly from the Customs Department. The scammers are reportedly exploiting unsuspecting individuals by threatening them with legal action over alleged customs violations or unpaid dues. With an increasing number of victims, government authorities are now urging the public to remain vigilant and take caution to protect themselves from falling prey to these cyber criminals.
In a recent post on platform X, PIB Fact Check highlighted this new phone-based scam, where scammers are calling people impersonating officials from the Customs Department. In the call, the scammers threaten targeted individuals, claiming there is an outstanding issue related to customs duties, taxes, or illegal imports. “Have you received calls claiming to be from Customs Dept. even when you haven’t ordered something.. Beware… It’s a scam,” warns PIB fact check in the latest post on X.
To make the call more convincing, the scammers also include details such as case numbers, official-sounding titles, and even forged documents sent via email or messaging apps to support their claims. The scammers then pressurise their targets by threatening immediate legal action, including arrest warrants, freezing of bank accounts, or hefty fines, if they do not comply with their demands.
In some reported cases, these online fraudsters have also instructed victims to make immediate payments to “settle” the matter or avoid arrest. These payments are usually requested through non-traceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrencies, making it difficult to recover the funds once transferred.
The scammers have been seen directing the victim to a fake website that mimics a government portal where they can “verify” the details of their case. However, while this website might look convincing, complete with government logos and official-sounding language, it is designed to further deceive the victim into believing the scam is real.
Notably, this scam is somewhat similar to one we reported earlier, where scammers call people about an illegal parcel being confiscated, followed by fake calls from Customs and CIB officials.
How to stay safe
To combat this growing online scam, the government has shared several tips to help individuals protect themselves:
If you receive a call claiming to be from the Customs Department, do not get stressed. Instead, hang up and contact the official government helpline or visit the official website to verify the claim. Do not use the contact information provided by the caller, as it may be part of the scam.
Never ever share personal information, such as your bank account details, credit card numbers, or identification documents, over the phone or online unless you are certain of the caller’s legitimacy.
In several online scams, we have seen that scammers use pressure tactics, such as threats of legal action or arrest, to coerce victims into complying quickly. However, the government official notes that legitimate government agencies will not demand immediate payment or use threatening language.
Always be wary of any request for payment, especially if the payment method is unconventional, such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrencies.
Most importantly, if you receive a suspicious call, report it to the relevant authorities immediately. This will help authorities track the scammers and may even prevent others from falling victim to the scam.
Source Agencies
