Scam Watch — “Your FedEx Package Has Been Blocked”
“With the rise in online scams across India, a notable increase has been observed in FedEx courier scams. Bengaluru city police registered 335 cyber fraud cases related to this scam in 2024. Surprisingly, even internet-savvy individuals are falling victim. The scam begins with an IVR phone call from an unknown number claiming, “Your FedEx Package Has Been Blocked… Press 1.” Those enticed by this message and who proceed with the call end up paying large sums in the form of “fines.” According to a report by The Indian Express, a 70-year-old journalist in Bengaluru recently lost ₹21.20 crore to this scam.
Fedex Courier Scam
The scam begins with an automated IVR call that sounds official, luring the victim into a false sense of security. As soon as the victim answers, the recorded message states that it’s from the FedEx courier office, regarding an urgent matter. To proceed, the victim is prompted to press a button to speak with an agent.
Once connected, the victim is greeted by a scammer posing as an airport official. The scammer claims that a parcel addressed to the victim has been intercepted at the airport, containing narcotics. To make the call appear legitimate, the scammer lists personal details such as the victim’s Aadhaar card number, home address, and other personal information, which they have obtained from various sources like cyber cafes, hotels, or even public offices.
The victim, now alarmed, is informed that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has flagged the parcel, and a serious case has been registered at a nearby police station. The call is then supposedly transferred to an NCB official, heightening the tension. The “NCB official” further intimidates the victim by stating that an arrest warrant has been issued and that they must cooperate to avoid immediate police action.
Under immense pressure, the victim is coerced into paying bribes and fines to clear their name. The scammers, posing as high-ranking officials, demand that the victim deposit a substantial amount of money into a specific account. They assure the victim that once the investigation is resolved, the money will be refunded.
Fearing arrest and damage to their reputation, the victim complies and transfers the funds. However, the harassment doesn’t stop there. The scammers continue to contact the victim, demanding more money under various pretexts. They threaten further legal action and potential public shame, trapping the victim in a cycle of extortion.
The scammers often obtain Aadhaar numbers and personal documents through shady channels, targeting those they perceive as vulnerable, mostly senior citizens and women. They adjust their tactics based on the victim’s responses but their ultimate goal remains the same: to extort as much money as possible.
In some cases, the scammers intensify their approach by impersonating police officers or senior NCB officials, claiming that the victim must travel to distant cities like Bangalore for someone living in New Delhi and Vice-versa, for an inquiry. They insist that failure to comply will result in immediate arrest by local police, further coercing the victim into making additional payments to avoid the supposed travel and legal troubles.
By leveraging fear, urgency, and personal information, these scammers exploit the trust and anxiety of their victims, leaving them financially and emotionally devastated.
Avoid the FedEx courier scam
Now that you’re aware, next time you receive a call immediately disconnect the call and block the number. Every legitimate courier comes with a tracking number that can be verified online. If a courier has truly been sent in your name, you would already be aware of it. Remember, this is not how the NCB or any law enforcement agency operates, and courier companies follow different protocols.
These scammers exploit a lack of awareness among Senior citizens and move quickly to extract as much as they can before someone steps in to help the victim.
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