Post by : Meena Ariff

Singapore Customs has issued a cautionary note regarding two innovative scam tactics that are proliferating in the area, preying on individuals via deceptive parcel alerts and counterfeit documents.

The first method involves victims receiving notifications that their parcels are being held due to regulatory compliance problems. These messages are paired with fraudulent inspection notices purportedly from high-ranking officials, instructing recipients to appear for an inspection or pay a so-called “verification fee” to avoid delays. The scammers push victims to complete a fake inspection agreement designed to harvest sensitive personal and financial information.

As deadlines loom, scammers heighten pressure, warning victims of potential legal actions and attempting to invoke authorities if payments aren't made. Many victims who tried to verify the claims found themselves contacted from phone numbers registered outside Singapore, indicating a sophisticated, cross-border operation.

Another variant of the scam features fraudulent messages stating that valuable items tied to the victims’ identities are being detained. To enhance credibility, the fraudsters share images of these items along with forged documents resembling official Customs paperwork. Victims are coerced into making immediate payments under threats of item seizure, financial penalties, or restrictions on future parcels.

Singapore Customs reassured the public that it never requests payment for parcel releases, emphasizing that all legitimate communications come through verified government channels. The agency underscored the damaging impact such scams have on public trust, urging everyone to remain vigilant and report any dubious activities.

#Tech News