Fake Delivery Texts in Nigeria
How SMS fraud impersonating DHL, FedEx, and local couriers targets Nigerian phone users with parcel fee demands and credential-harvesting links.
Part of: Fake Delivery Texts
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Nigeria's growing e-commerce sector — driven by platforms like Jumia and Konga — has given scammers a plausible context for fake delivery notifications. Fraudsters send mass SMS messages impersonating international couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) and domestic delivery services, claiming a parcel is held pending a small payment or re-delivery fee.
The SMS includes a link to a convincing lookalike site designed to harvest card details or personal information, or to redirect to a premium-rate charge.
How this scam works on Nigeria
A typical message reads: 'DHL Nigeria: Your shipment is on hold. Customs clearance fee of N3,500 required. Pay here: [link].' The link leads to a page mimicking the courier's branding, asking for card details, bank account number, or BVN to process the payment. Some variants request the victim call a premium-rate number to 'arrange redelivery.'
Because many Nigerians do receive imported packages through international couriers and pay customs duties, the scenario is plausible enough to cause concern. Victims who enter bank details may find their accounts accessed; those who call the premium number are charged for every minute of the call.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited SMS claiming a parcel you did not order is being held
- Link that does not match the official courier's known Nigerian domain
- Request for BVN, full card number, or online banking credentials to pay a customs fee
- Premium-rate callback number for redelivery arrangement
- Urgency: parcel will be returned if not claimed within 24 hours
How to protect yourself
- Track expected parcels only through the official courier website using your actual tracking number
- DHL and FedEx Nigeria do not request BVN or online banking login to process customs fees
- Do not call any number contained in an unexpected SMS — look up the courier's official Nigerian contact independently
- Enable transaction alerts on your bank account to spot unauthorised charges quickly
- Use the NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) reversal process if a fraudulent bank debit occurs
How to report it
- Report to the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) at ncert.gov.ng
- File a complaint with the EFCC at efccnigeria.org if significant funds were lost
- Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to block further charges
Frequently asked questions
Do Nigerian customs fees legitimately require online payment?
Customs duties on imports to Nigeria are paid through official FIRS or Nigeria Customs Service channels, typically facilitated by the courier. You would be notified through the courier's official tracking portal, not an SMS with a payment link. Any SMS-based payment request should be verified through the courier's official website before acting.