‘Drugs in parcel’ ploy being used to dupe people: Centre
- Stepping in to act against the rampant “narcotics drugs in parcel’ extortion scam,
- the Revenue Department of the Union Finance Ministry advised the public to stay vigilant
- stressed that Customs officials never contact individuals over phone or by email to remit Customs duties in private accounts.
Key highlights
- “Various incidents have come to light through news portals/social media platforms of fraudulent persons posing as Indian Customs officers cheating the public of their hard-earned money across the country.
- These frauds are primarily done using digital means like phone calls or SMS, and are focused on extracting money through the purported fear of immediate penal action,” the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said.
- The CBIC has launched a multi-modal campaign to spread awareness of such fraudsters’ modus operandi and urged people to immediately report such cases on www.cybercrime.gov.in or its helpline number 1930.
Prelims takeaway
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)