A prevalent scam in India involves fraudsters posing as courier company employees, leading to financial losses for victims
Scam initiates with a missed call, and upon returning it, victims encounter an automated message from a fake courier company helpline, leading to extortion attempts by impersonating law enforcement officials
Perpetrators often pretend to be Mumbai police officers, alleging the discovery of illegal substances in parcels destined for the victims, coercing them into making payments
Various iterations of the courier scam exist, with criminals posing as courier company representatives, duping individuals nationwide through deceptive tactics
A case involved a Vikhroli-based doctor losing Rs 68,000 after contacting a courier company regarding an online purchase, leading to fraudulent app downloads and unauthorized bank transactions
Scammers appear to have access to courier company databases, enabling them to make convincing calls or even change the displayed numbers to further deceive victims
In some instances, fraudsters use Skypeto impersonate police officers, presenting fake credentials and pressuring victims, particularly targeting young girls who may be more susceptible to intimidation
The perpetrators go to great lengths, including creating make-believe police stations on Skype calls and dressing in police uniforms to intensify the illusion during scam operations
Both law enforcement and cyber experts acknowledge a surge in complaints related to courier scams, urging the public to remain vigilant against such fraudulent activities