Last Updated on 2016-05-19 , 1:43 pm
Okay, this is so real and widespread in Singapore that in just a few days, two people around me have received this call (but thank God they were already aware of the scam).
Here’s how it works: you’ll receive a call from a person who has a strong China accent. Usually a guy, he’ll introduce himself as an employee of a well-known courier company (think FedEx or DHL) and tell you about a parcel that you’ve sent or going to receive.
And since many of us buy things online, it’s common to say, “Oh, yes, that handphone casing that I’ve ordered online. Yes, I did order.”
That’s when hell breaks loose.
Based on one instance, the employee will say that the parcel contains illegal items like fake passports or weapons, and you’ll be referred to a higher authority, like a customs officer or a police officer, who will assist you further. The officer will then ask for more information from you to “verify”—but he’s actually just harvesting for your personal details.
And then that’s when it gets scarier: the officer will say that based on the item in the parcel, he’s going to take legal action against you. As you panic, he’ll offer a solution: remit money to him and he’ll ensure that the “authorities” do not pursue the matter and let it rest.
Guess what? In Singapore, over $1 million has been lost to these scams.
While it seems like the scam won’t work on you, think again: when faced with a situation whereby you’re threatened with legal actions, anxiety and fear might take over and you might just fall into the scam.
Here’s what you should do if you receive such a call: never follow the instructions, never disclose your personal details and never transfer any funds. If need to, call the courier company for verification.
Also, do society a flavour: if you have information related to this, call the police hotline at 1800-255 0000.
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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