The Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the Philippines has issued urgent warnings about scammers impersonating officials to demand payments for parcel releases, while Singapore Customs reported new variants targeting gold bars and parcels through fake emails and WhatsApp messages.
Scammers Exploit ‘Love Scams’ to Trick Victims into Paying Fake Customs Fees
Scammers in the Philippines have been using internet love scams
to target victims, according to the BOC. The modus operandi involves befriending individuals online, often through social media or dating platforms, and eventually promising gifts or packages from abroad. Once a victim is lured, the scammer claims the package is being held by customs and demands payment for duties, taxes, or processing fees. Reports and complaints have recently proliferated about people who claim to have communicated with individuals allegedly from the BOC who in turn ask payment for the release of parcels or packages from the Bureau,
the BOC stated in a public warning.
Victims are often instructed to send payments through personal bank accounts, e-wallets, or money transfer services. In one case, a woman named Arneth Calma was duped into paying P35,000 to a suspect named Herminia Castillo, who pretended to be a BOC employee. The scam escalated when Calma was told she needed to pay an additional P20,000 after the scammers claimed high-value goods
were discovered in her package. The BOC arrested Castillo in Mabalacat, Pampanga, on Thursday, July 24, charging her with swindling and estafa-related charges. We are not certain as to how many people are involved in these internet scams but we will not let our guard down, especially as they are using the name of the Bureau,
said Customs Commissioner John Sevilla.
Singapore Customs Warns of New Scam Variants Involving Parcels and Gold Bars
Singapore Customs has identified two new scam variants targeting individuals through fake emails and WhatsApp messages. In the first variant, scammers pose as customs officials and send emails from addresses like [email protected], claiming a parcel has been withheld for compliance reasons. Victims receive a fake inspection notice instructing them to attend an on-site inspection or pay a verification fee to a Malaysian bank account. The scammers also pressure victims to fill out forged inspection agreements with their bank details for a supposed refund.
The second variant involves scammers impersonating Singapore Customs officers on WhatsApp, claiming gold bars registered under the victim’s name are being held. Victims are sent photos of the supposed gold bars and a forged document using the old Singapore Customs logo. They are instructed to pay for the release of the gold bars, with threats of legal action for customs evasion
if they refuse. The Singapore Customs reminds the public that it does not request payment to release parcels and that official correspondence is sent only from e-mail addresses ending with the customs.gov.sg domain,
the agency stated.
Government officials will also never ask for money or bank details by phone call, text message or e-mail,
the agency added.
How Scammers Use Fake Documents and Technology to Deceive Victims
Scammers in both the Philippines and Singapore use sophisticated tactics to mimic official communications. In the Philippines, they create fake invoices, shipping documents, and tracking records, sometimes even editing photos of parcels or expensive gifts to convince victims of the scam’s legitimacy. “After a few days, the victims receive an email allegedly coming from the Bureau of Customs informing them that packages would be sent to them after they pay duties and taxes to be deposited in a designated bank account or money transfer service,” the BOC reported.
In Singapore, scammers send fake inspection notices and forged documents with details purporting to be from senior customs management. They also use Malaysia-registered telephone numbers to contact victims, adding a layer of urgency to their threats. Several victims who contacted the Singapore Customs to check the authenticity of the e-mails and documents used Malaysia-registered telephone numbers,
the agency noted. This tactic is designed to pressure victims into acting quickly without verifying the legitimacy of the communication.
The BOC in the Philippines has also highlighted that the scammers often exploit the internet love scam
angle, where victims are lured through online relationships before being asked to pay for supposed customs fees. The perpetrators would send a message to their victims through email, promising to send gifts ranging from luxury bags, jewelry, laptop computers and other electronic gadgets via international door-to-door parcel,
the bureau said. This method preys on the emotional trust built during online interactions, making victims more susceptible to financial exploitation.
Public Urged to Remain Vigilant and Report Scams Immediately
Both the BOC and Singapore Customs have urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious communications immediately. The BOC emphasized that the public is reminded to remain vigilant against criminals who take advantage of technology to commit unscrupulous acts.
It also stressed that if duties and taxes need to paid, this is communicated through an official BOC document and not through text messaging or email.
The BOC also highlighted that the scammers’ methods are constantly evolving, and the public must stay informed about the latest tactics. As the BOC continues to promote and utilize online systems, the public is reminded to remain vigilant against criminals who take advantage of technology to commit unscrupulous acts,
the bureau reiterated. With the rise of digital communication, authorities are working to educate the public on how to identify and avoid these scams.
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