These are the Characteristics of Overseas Package Fraud That You Need to Know!

 

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By:

Team of Hukumindo

Previously, the www.hukumindo.com platform has talk about "Contoh Akta Pengikatan Jual Beli", "Rare Case, Chinese Man Jailed for Scaring 1,100 Chickens to Death", you may read also "Police Raid Luxury Homes in East Jakarta, Related to Foreign Nationals Network Suspected of Committing Fraudsters" and on this occasion we will discuss about 'These are the characteristics of overseas package fraud that you need to know!'.

Buying packages from abroad is not difficult at this time. You can buy goods from any country you want. Only through a smartphone, you can get various overseas packages. But be careful, you need to be aware of the characteristics of overseas package fraud so you don't get fooled. The reason is, currently there are many 'naughty' people who take advantage of the ease of buying and selling online abroad by deceiving. You need to know that sending packages from abroad requires customs fees and other fees called clearance. So, unscrupulous fraudsters take advantage of this to ask the buyer to pay a clearance fee in advance, even though the goods have not been sent. Apart from that, it is not uncommon for unscrupulous persons to use fake couriers to manipulate the condition that goods are being sent, even though they are not sent it.[1]

To minimize the occurrence of fraudulent overseas people who are detrimental, you need to know the characteristics of overseas package fraud as follows:[2]

1. Approach Through Social Media. The characteristics of the first overseas package fraud are generally carried out through social media. The perpetrator will get to know the victim through social media, then claim to be a seller of products from abroad, or even send gifts from abroad. In this case, the perpetrator has targeted the victim first by pocketing the victim's personal data. The perpetrator knew the victim's full name, telephone number, email address, to his business address so that it looked convincing. Perpetrators sometimes also disguise themselves as business partners who invite them to cooperate with attractive lures. Therefore, you need to be vigilant if strangers suddenly invite you to interact via social media, especially if you are not very active on social media.
2. Using a Fake Courier. Actors consist of at least 2 people, one person as a person who invites to get acquainted personally (mode). This person collects data and information about the victim, contacts, and then seduces the victim. Furthermore, the second person acts as a fake courier delivering goods. After the victim knows that goods from abroad will be sent, then a fake courier will be appointed, as if he were sending goods to the victim.
3. Using Fake Receipts. Not only fake couriers, the characteristics of overseas package fraud also use fake receipts. The perpetrator will create a fake receipt and send it to the victim. Victims will believe it because the receipt that is made is really similar to the original. Therefore, when you get a delivery receipt, immediately check the receipt whether it is genuine or fake. Also make sure that the shipping company really exists and is trusted.
4. Ask for Clearance Fees. Furthermore, the next fraudulent feature of shipping goods from abroad is a request for a clearance payment. The perpetrator argued that the goods had been sent to Indonesia, but the courier could not move because the clearance fee had not been paid. The perpetrator then asks the victim to pay a fee via transfer to the perpetrator's account or account. Usually the nominal fee requested is quite large, especially if the mode is giving gifts. You are forced to pay some money first.
5. Actor Disappears. After the victim transfers the clearance fee, then the perpetrator will disappear. Victims can't move because they have difficulty verifying both the bank and the courier. Due to differences in countries, the bank verification process will take a long time. However, at this time, the victim's money had been taken by the perpetrator and the goods did not reach the victim.
6. Unprofessional Use of Language. The following characteristics of overseas package fraud are the use of unprofessional language by the perpetrator. When the perpetrator sends messages via social media or email, observe the language used. If it's unprofessional, even with typos or grammatical errors, then you should be suspicious. The reason is, when the perpetrator acts on behalf of a particular company or bank, the language used should be professional like an institution. However, if it looks confused with messy language, then this could be an act of fraud.
7. Unofficial Email Address or Phone Number. You should be suspicious of fraud via WhattsApp, email or telephone from abroad if it originates from an unofficial telephone number or email address. In this case, the perpetrator provides an unconvincing email address or phone number. In fact, as a professional company that wants to send gifts or collaborate, of course, the email and telephone number used must be official. Not individual email, especially with an unclear domain.
8. Requesting Unnecessary Personal Data. You should suspect that there is an overseas package fraud when the perpetrator asks for personal data that is unnecessary and unreasonable. Generally, the personal data requested is limited to ID cards and email addresses. However, if he has asked for a photo ID, 4-digit debit card number, even a certain password, then it is certain that you are being targeted by fraudsters. You need to increase your vigilance if these things happen.
9. Claiming to Have a Private Importer Company. The characteristics of the next overseas package fraud are that the perpetrator admits to owning a private importing company, no longer profiting from the name of a known importer company. The aim is to prevent importers whose names are used for reporting to the authorities. Another goal is to trick the victim into believing in the perpetrator. To avoid this, you need to find out about the importer company in question. Check whether the company really exists and is legal. Do not let you become a victim because you are tempted by packages sent from abroad.
10. Carried out by Two Actors. As discussed in the previous point, overseas package fraud is usually carried out by two perpetrators. The perpetrator will first collect information and data on the victim and then trick the victim with various lures. Meanwhile, the second perpetrator disguised himself as a courier who would deliver packages, or even claimed to be the owner of a private courier service. He will make the package delivery service look convincing even though it is actually not safe and legal.

And if you have any legal issue in Indonesia territory, contact us then, feel free in 24 hour, we will be happy to assist you. 

*) For further information please contact:

Mahmud Kusuma Advocate

Law Office

Jakarta - Indonesia.

E-mail: mahmudkusuma22@gmail.com

________________

References:

1. "Waspada, Begini Ciri-ciri Penipuan Paket Luar Negeri yang Perlu Anda Tahu!", www.sap-express.id., Diakses pada tanggal 12 April 2023, Link: https://www.sap-express.id/blog/ciri-ciri-penipuan-paket-luar-negeri/

2. Ibid.