SINGAPORE – Two new parcel scam variants have surfaced recently, with scammers posing as Singapore Customs or its officers to trick victims into paying fees or divulging their banking details.

The Singapore Customs said in a statement on Dec 3 that the scams, detected in recent months, involve e-mails and WhatsApp messages that claim parcels or gold bars are being held by the Singapore Customs.

Victims are pressured to make payments or face threats of legal action.

In the first variant, scammers posing as the Singapore Customs send e-mails from

sgpcu

Victims receive a fake inspection notice instructing them to attend an onsite inspection of the goods scheduled a few days later. The document contains details impersonating a member of Customs’ senior management.

Scammers then tell victims that, instead of appearing for the inspection, they have the option of paying a verification fee to a Malaysian bank account.

The victims are told that the parcel will be released once payment is made and that the fee will be refunded. Victims are also asked to fill out a forged Singapore Customs Inspection Agreement with their bank account details for the supposed refund.

As the deadline approaches, scammers send threatening follow-up e-mails demanding a bank transfer or warning that the Malaysian police will be notified to initiate arrest proceedings for contraband.

Several victims who contacted the Singapore Customs to check the authenticity of the e-mails and documents used Malaysia-regis...