On August 9, the Ministry of Finance issued a warning regarding scams related to Indian Customs. People are advised not to be deceived by fraudulent calls, emails, messages, and social media posts that falsely claim to be from Indian Customs, and ask for payment of customs duty into personal bank accounts. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, which operates under the Department of Revenue within the Ministry of Finance, is responsible for these matters in the Government of India.
Guarding Against Fraud: Indian Customs Policy and Communication Practices
It manages policy development for Customs, Central Excise duties, Central Goods & Services Tax, and IGST collection, along with anti-smuggling measures, within the jurisdiction of CBIC. Be cautious of scammers demanding money under the guise of Indian Customs.
Beware of fraudsters extorting money in the name of Indian Customs!
— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) August 9, 2023
Indian Customs never calls or send SMS for paying Customs Duty in a personal bank account. All communication from Indian Customs contain a DIN which can be verified on CBIC website. #FraudAlert pic.twitter.com/3A1gybjyrL
Indian Customs never requests Customs Duty payments through personal bank accounts via calls or SMS. All official communications from Indian Customs have a verifiable DIN on the CBIC website.
Through a sequence of tweets, the ministry emphasized that Indian Customs does not use phone calls or SMS to request Customs Duty payments in personal bank accounts. Official communications from Indian Customs always include a Document Identification Number (DIN) that can be verified on the CBIC website.
Protecting Yourself: Beware of Online Scams and False Claims by Individuals Posing as Indian Customs
Exercise caution when receiving requests for money or assistance from individuals met online, who may falsely claim to be detained by Indian Customs. In such situations, it is advisable to contact the police.
Attention, fellow citizens! Stay vigilant and avoid becoming victims of deceptive phone calls, emails, messages, or social media posts falsely posing as Indian Customs officials, demanding customs duty payment into personal bank accounts. The ministry has underscored that these scams might take the form of unsolicited lottery prize calls, where you’re asked to pay customs duty to receive the winnings. However, it’s crucial to recognize that such messages are fraudulent.
Additionally, be cautious even on social media, particularly when making online friends. Be aware that scammers may reach out, pretending to be detained by Indian Customs and requesting money. Once again, this is a deceitful scheme.
