Twitter User Shares How She Almost Got Scammed By Fake Courier Agent. Ladies And Gents, Stay Satark!
Scammers need to be scammed one day!
A lot of people took their businesses online during the pandemic because there was a restriction on movement and gatherings. Which turned out to be good for genuine businessmen and businesswomen. But it looks like fraudsters and scammers have also decided to take their businesses online because people have become more careful and don’t fall for physically happening frauds. One of the frauds that a lot of you’ll also must have seen is when you get a call from an international number. But it looks like another rampant scam is also taking place is where these scammers call you and tell you that your parcel has gotten stuck because you ordered illegal items. If you are someone who often shops online, you need to beware of this scam!
A Twitter user shared her experience when she got a scam call that informed her that her parcel has gotten stuck at Mumbai customs. She explained elaborately how these scammers try to trap you so that you keep doing as they say and if you end up believing them, they will scam you. The Twitter user whose handle is @irationalised wrote how the scammers also use the tactic of transferring calls so that they sound genuine and also they incorporate automated voices to make themselves sound convincing.
I got an elaborate scam call today. After answering, an automated recording informed me that my FedEx parcel has been intercepted, for details press 1. Curious, I did and a man tells me that my parcel with order xyz has been withheld by Mumbai customs due to illegal items (1/n)
— Ira (@irationalised) May 15, 2023
Ira mentioned that the scam caller also mentioned the details of the person she had apparently sent a parcel to (she neither sent any parcel nor has she used FedEx before).
He tells me the details of the recipient, address, phone number. I denied sending anything (never used FedEx in my life). He tells me my parcel contains 5 passports, 6 credit cards, 1 pair of shoes, 5 kg clothes and 150 gm mdma. I’m almost certain it’s scam at this point. (2/n)
— Ira (@irationalised) May 15, 2023
I’m googling the details in the background as he says he will help me lodge a formal complaint and then transfers me to another person, segued by another automated voice saying your call is being transferred to mumbai cyber cell. (4/n)
— Ira (@irationalised) May 15, 2023
Ira also went on to say that one should speak to the scammers in Marathi when they mention Mumbai Police. This will help you confirm that they are fraudsters.
A different guy asks my name & what I sent in the parcel. I was confused by how this FedEx guy had so quickly informed the “cops” about my parcel so I asked him in Marathi, “I didn’t tell you any of this, how do you know?” He didn’t know the language and continued in Hindi. (5/n)
— Ira (@irationalised) May 15, 2023
She went on to share another Twitter thread write by a woman who faced a similar situation.
I thought it’d be wise to share this here. Also, be sure to speak to them in Marathi if they say their mumbai police pic.twitter.com/oDvCb5K9vq
— Ira (@irationalised) May 15, 2023
Many other Twitter users went on to share how they too received such scam calls where the callers claim that they are from FedEx. They also somehow manage to get your details like phone numbers and name which often scares people into believing this might be true. What is all the more surprising is that people coming forward to say that despite having complained to the police, nothing is being done to stop to assist with these calls.
I’ve been receiving automated calls regarding FedEx parcels too and because I know I’ve not ordered anything I disconnect. The sad part is I tried to bring this to @FedExIndia’s notice but they ask you to report on an email ID or Tollfree number. High time they step up their ORM…
— Avantika / Jill Of All Trades (@stunningmoon) May 15, 2023
https://twitter.com/TXingh/status/1658167007240671232
The exact same thing happened to me exactly a month back. I went down a whole Reddit thread rabbit hole and found what seems to be a targeted scam based on gender, as at least 75 other people have reported the same and all women!
— Shriya Roy (@Roy_Shriya) May 15, 2023
Also read: Bengal School Recruitment Scam: ED Finds Cash Worth ₹20 Crores In Another Home Owned By Accused Arpita Mukherjee
Ladies and gents, if you are someone who does a lot of online shopping, please be aware of these calls. Keep track of your parcels and what you have ordered and when it is going to be shipped and through which delivery agent. Stay saavdhaan, fellas!
