The Bureau of Customs has issued a warning against a scam involving social media.
According to BOC spokesperson Vincent Philip Maronilla, the scam involves friending a potential victim on social media platforms like Facebook pretending they are a relative stranger abroad.
When they get comfortable, the scammer will tell the potential victim that they will send them an expensive gift or a large sum of money that’ll be delivered via a parcel from overseas.
Later on, a supposed local contact will reach out to the victim and say that the parcel has made it to the country but has been detained by the BOC and that the victim has to send money for it to be released.
Maronilla pointed out that receiving money through parcels is already a red flag as only a very few people do it, and if they do, they are only small amounts dedicated to close relatives and friends.
The scammers would usually lure victims by telling them that the parcel contains up to Php1 million in cash.
Maronilla said that they can demand to see a bill of landing or air waybill before making any money transfers. Such documents have a tracking number, which can be verified through the BOC website.
The website will also show if the recipient has to pay any fee or tax before the parcel is released.
Maronilla highlighted that the same scam has been around for years and they’ve repeatedly warned the public against it.