Panaji: Goa Police have cautioned citizens about a rising wave of cyber fraud cases involving fake parcel delivery messages. Scammers are targeting people through SMS and emails, falsely claiming that their courier delivery has failed and prompting them to update their address or pay a small re-delivery fee through a provided link.
Police said these links lead to fraudulent websites designed to steal sensitive financial information. Once victims enter their card details or OTP, cybercriminals use the data to withdraw large sums within minutes.
Two Recent Cases Highlight the Modus Operandi
In one case, a woman received an SMS stating that her India Post parcel could not be delivered and she needed to pay ₹10.25 to reschedule the delivery. She clicked the link and entered an OTP, assuming it was for the small payment. Instead, ₹25,782 was fraudulently deducted from her credit card.
In another incident, a man received a message claiming to be from DTDC Courier, asking for a ₹25 redelivery fee. The link appeared genuine, and after he proceeded with the payment, the OTP auto-filled on his phone. Moments later, he received an automated call from his bank informing him of a transaction of ₹85,238.
Police Issue Precautionary Advisory
Goa Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid clicking on unfamiliar links related to parcel deliveries. Citizens are advised never to share OTPs, UPI PINs, or banking details under any circumstances.
Authorities have appealed to residents to report such fraudulent messages to the cybercrime helpline and spread awareness to prevent more people from falling victim to these scams.
