Fake Delivery Text Scams in Lebanon
Fraudulent WhatsApp and SMS messages impersonating Lebanese courier services or international carriers collect cash or USDT to release parcels that never exist.
Part of: Fake Delivery Texts
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Lebanon's courier and postal system has faced significant challenges, with international shipping and customs clearance a common genuine source of delays and fees. This genuine complexity makes Lebanese recipients particularly susceptible to fraudulent delivery notifications that mimic real customs or carrier fees.
Scammers impersonate Aramex Lebanon, DHL Lebanon, or the Lebanese Post (LibanPost), claiming a parcel is held at customs and requires a fee for release. The request for cash or USDT mirrors the actual experience some Lebanese have had with unofficial customs facilitation, lending the scam painful authenticity.
How this scam works on Lebanon
An SMS or WhatsApp message claims a parcel is held at Beirut port or a local customs office, requiring a fee of USD 10–150 for customs clearance or 'import documentation.' Payment is requested via USDT to a wallet address or Western Union to a named individual — not a company account.
Victims expecting international parcels are especially vulnerable. The scammer may already know the victim is expecting a package (through a phishing email or social media post) and target them specifically. After payment, the 'parcel' never materialises and the messenger vanishes.
Some variants send a WhatsApp message appearing to come from a genuine delivery person's number (spoofed or compromised), making the fee demand appear to originate from a known contact.
Common red flags
- SMS or WhatsApp claiming a parcel is held at customs and requires immediate payment
- Payment requested in USDT or Western Union rather than a named company bank account
- Link to a tracking page with a URL that does not match the official carrier domain
- Customs fee amount exactly matches what the 'agent' says is needed without a formal document
- Scammer has prior knowledge of an expected parcel (suggesting phishing or social media monitoring)
- Carrier 'representative' uses a personal WhatsApp rather than a corporate account
How to protect yourself
- Track parcels only through official carrier apps or websites navigated directly
- Any customs payment in Lebanon goes through official bank transfer to customs authority — not USDT
- Verify customs fees by contacting Lebanese Customs directly at customs.gov.lb
- Never follow a WhatsApp link to a payment page for a delivery
- Contact the actual carrier's official customer service to verify any claimed hold
- For high-value international parcels, use a licensed customs broker (déclarant en douane)
How to report it
- Report to the ISF Cybercrime Bureau at cybercrime.gov.lb
- Notify the carrier being impersonated (Aramex, DHL, LibanPost) directly
- Report to Lebanese Customs if their identity was fraudulently invoked
Frequently asked questions
Does Lebanese customs accept USDT for fees?
No. Lebanese Customs (Maslahet al-Jumruk) collects duties through official channels including bank payments. Any demand for USDT, cash to an individual, or Western Union for a customs fee is fraudulent regardless of how official the request appears.