* paying duty for non existing parcels – a method for making money
Posted on May 3rd, 2010 by Alex. Filed under IISc.
This post should be a warning to everybody. It happened to myself, but also to a friend of mine just a few days ago. I do not know any other incidences, but it seems, there is a system behind it.
What happened? Long story short:
Someone called me by phone telling me that parcels have arrived and he would like to get them delivered. So I went to the hostel gate and he waited there for me. He explained that parcels have arrived for my address (he knew my exact address of the hostel), but there are some formalities regarding customs. I had to pay duty and that was the reason, why the parcels were currently in the office in Malleshwaram. However he came by to get the services and duties done for me for some little extra fee. Then he tried to call his boss to discuss the matter further from my phone. So I had his boss’ phone number. However the number was busy all the time and he could not get through. In the end he convinced me that he will proceed to his office, get the formalities done and will come back with the parcels. I paid him Rs.500 (that was the amount, I had with me) and he left.
I mean, he really left and never came back. I tried to call his boss’ number several times, but after the third day the number got disconnected. Maybe I am too stupid since I always believe in the good part of humans first. Many people can point the finger at me and telling me that could never ever happen to them. However I admit, he had a really easy game, since I was expecting parcels from Germany and thought that they arrived finally. The concerned parcels came something like 2 months after this incident and they have their own story.
A similar event happened to a friend of mine just a few days back. He came to her room personally at 7am on a Sunday morning. With the same trick (duties, parcels currently in office, etc) he managed to lure around Rs.700 from her. The security of IISc is quite powerless and weak. Any visitor has to sign into a register. However, if you are a delivery boy, you may pass unchecked and undisturbed. I mean, a little bit common sense: Who delivers a parcel that early on a Sunday morning?
The money is gone. However we hope that this post reaches some people and to prevent them to loose their money too.
May 4th, 2010 at 9:00 am
Hey Alex,
The same thing happened to Mario from biochemistry department. He had come as an exchange student from TUM, Germany. He ended up paying Rs 650/-.
I think only the foreign exchange students are prone to such kind of trickery, since they are new here and not aware of the rules.
Posting this on the blog is a good thing, but I suggest sending out a broadcast mail as it will be noticed by larger section of people. Also, mentioning this in the student’s council website is a good idea.
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May 4th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Well if some one is asking for ‘parcel’ ask his ID card. There are vendors who distribute lab materials who can clear customs if needed. Try to source parcels thru channels whom you know.
it can be even worse if the parcel is a contraband and its headed straight to you!
Regards
Syam k
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May 5th, 2010 at 6:35 am
Something similar, but a slightly more complicated scam. My friend who got the call told me this:
I got a call from some fellow from some company called “AJ Interlinks” saying that I have just won a lucky draw and the prize is a fully paid holiday or a kitchen set or whatever. No cash to be paid whatsoever. Just come to so-and-so address where we are holding a seminar. Attend the seminar, and collect your prize. When you go there you find out there are 20-30 other people who have been called on a similar pretext. There you find out that to collect your prize (which is worth over a lakh or so) you need to sign up and become a member for Rs 10K. If you pay, you will never see your money or these people again. They are extremely persuasive and will even offer accompany you to an ATM if you dont have the money!
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