Courier scams use fear and manipulation to trick victims into giving up money or personal information. 

The following is the modus operandi or method of operation, that fraudsters use for this scam:

• Impersonation via calls
  The scam begins with a call from someone pretending to be from a courier company, police, or customs, often using a spoofed caller ID to make it appear authentic.

• False claims of illegal packages
  The scammer alleges that a package in your name contains illegal items such as drugs or fraudulent credit cards, which are linked to your Aadhaar (identity document), raising concerns about your identity being used in criminal activities.

• Use of official terms and fake authorities
  To sound credible, they use official terminology and may escalate the situation by transferring you to a fake “higher authority” who claims to be investigating the matter.

• Threatening with legal consequences
  To increase pressure, scammers often threaten the victim with severe legal consequences, such as arrest or prosecution. These threats may even be made via video calls to heighten fear and urgency.

• Isolating the victim
  Victims are advised not to disclose the situation to anyone, preventing them from seeking help or verifying the legitimacy of the claims.

• Request for money transfer for “Verification”
  The scam culminates in a request for the victim’s money to be “checked” by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) software to ensure it’s not involved in money laundering. In reality, this is a tactic to steal the victim’s funds, as they are manipulated into making transfers for so-called "verification."

By understanding the typical methods used in courier scams, you can recognize the warning signs and take action to protect yourself.