Fake Courier & Delivery Scams — "Your Parcel Is Stuck"
A message about a parcel you never ordered can still cost you money — because the goal was never really about the parcel.
What this scam looks like
An SMS or WhatsApp message claims a courier company (often naming FedEx, DHL, India Post, or a well-known local courier) is holding your parcel due to unpaid customs duty, an incomplete address, or a failed delivery attempt. It includes a link to "pay a small fee" or "reschedule delivery," which leads to a fake payment page designed to capture your card details or UPI PIN.
Why it works
Online shopping is now routine for most people, so a delivery-related message doesn't stand out as unusual. The amount requested is often small — a few hundred rupees — which makes people less cautious than they would be for a larger sum, even though the real goal is often to capture your full card or banking details on the fake payment page, not just that small amount.
Red flags to watch for
- A delivery message with a payment link, especially requesting card details rather than a standard COD amount
- Courier or postal service names that don't match who you actually ordered from
- Links using shortened URLs or domains that don't match the courier company's real website
- Urgency language like "parcel will be returned" or "held for 24 hours only"
How to protect yourself
Never click payment links in courier SMS/WhatsApp messages. If you're expecting a delivery, track it directly through the courier's official app or website using your order/tracking number, not a link sent to you. Genuine customs duty, when applicable, is handled through official channels, not a link in a text message.
If this has already happened to you
If you entered card or UPI details on a suspicious link, follow the steps on our "I've Been Scammed" page immediately.
This article is general awareness information, not legal advice. See our disclaimer for details.