BOC warns public against online scammers

MANILA, Philippines - Beware of paying customs duties and taxes online for non-existent packages.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday warned of unscrupulous individuals who use the Internet to trick people into paying duties and taxes for packages which would never be delivered.

The BOC said it received at least 12 reports about people who were befriended online and then tricked into paying for parcels reportedly sent to them from abroad.

“Perpetrators usually get in touch with prospective victims online via chat or dating websites. After constantly communicating online for several weeks or even months, 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 BOC said in a statement. 

To make their story more credible, the perpetrators would even send a tracking number and invoice for the shipment.

A few days later, the victims will receive an email which appears to be from the BOC, informing them that packages will be sent to them after they pay duties and taxes to be deposited in a certain bank account or money transfer service. The email also details the breakdown of duties and taxes.

But after depositing the money, the victims never receive their packages. Most of the victims were women.

The BOC reminded the public that it “does not give assessments and computations of duties and taxes by email. These are computed and written on official BOC document. Customs duties and taxes due are payable only to the BOC and not through any bank.”

The BOC also advised those who would be receiving emails appearing to be sent by the bureau to inquire first through the agency’s public assistance contact telephone number 9173201, email address [email protected], Twitter account @CustomsPH, or visit the agency’s website at www.customs.gov.ph.