Fake Delivery Text Scams in Fiji
Smishing messages impersonating courier and postal services trick Fiji residents into paying fake clearance fees or entering payment details on phishing sites.
Part of: Fake Delivery Texts
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
As e-commerce and online shopping grow in Fiji, so do fake delivery notification scams — known as smishing when conducted by SMS. Fraudsters send text messages mimicking FedEx, DHL, or Fiji Post, claiming a parcel is held pending a small customs or redelivery fee.
The fee is small enough to seem plausible, and the urgency of a missed delivery prompt causes many recipients to click without careful scrutiny. The link leads to a phishing page that harvests payment card details.
How this scam works on Fiji
Smishing messages targeting Fiji residents typically arrive claiming a package from an overseas retailer is held at customs and requires a small clearance fee payable online. The message includes a link that closely mimics the real courier's website URL with minor variations.
The phishing page requests card details to process the nominal fee. The victim's card information is then used for larger unauthorised transactions, often executed rapidly before the victim notices.
Some variants arrive via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger rather than SMS, using the same format but delivered through social channels to avoid SMS spam filters.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited message about a delivery you are not expecting
- Link in the message closely resembles but does not exactly match the courier's official URL
- Fee requested is small — designed to seem too minor to question
- Message creates urgency — parcel will be returned if fee is not paid within 24 hours
- Card details are requested on the linked page rather than redirecting to a known payment processor
- Message contains spelling errors or inconsistent formatting
How to protect yourself
- Navigate directly to the courier's official website rather than clicking links in messages
- Track any expected parcel through the retailer's own tracking system
- Never enter card details on a page reached via an unsolicited text link
- Enable two-factor authentication on banking apps to limit damage if card details are stolen
- Report suspicious messages to your mobile provider and to the Fiji Police Force
How to report it
- Report the sending number to your mobile provider
- File a complaint with the Fiji Police Force if card details were compromised
- Notify your bank immediately to freeze any affected card
Frequently asked questions
Would Fiji Post or a courier company ever ask me to pay a fee via a text-message link?
Legitimate courier companies direct customers to their official websites or established payment systems. A payment request embedded in an unsolicited SMS or WhatsApp link should always be treated as suspicious.