I got a call about a package held by customs containing illegal items, then it turned into threats of arrest — what's going on?
This is a combined courier and 'digital arrest' scam. It typically starts with a fake customs or courier call claiming your identity is linked to a suspicious package, then escalates to threats of arrest to pressure you into paying a fee or transferring money.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Explanation
This variant begins with a call or automated message claiming a package addressed to you, or one using your identity documents, was intercepted by customs and found to contain contraband, cash, or drugs. Once the victim engages, the caller is transferred to someone posing as a police officer, sometimes escalating into a full video 'digital arrest' scenario, where the victim is told they're implicated in trafficking and must pay a fee, fine, or 'investigation clearance' amount to avoid prosecution.
The courier detail adds a layer of specific, seemingly verifiable plausibility that a generic arrest threat lacks, since it references a tangible object — a package — rather than an abstract accusation. Scammers may even provide a fake tracking number or courier company name that looks legitimate on the surface but can't be verified through the courier's actual official tracking system.
Real customs authorities and courier companies don't resolve suspected illegal shipments by calling the named recipient and demanding a personal payment to clear their name — such matters go through formal investigation and legal channels, not a phone call ending in a request for a bank transfer or gift cards. Independently verifying any claimed tracking number through the courier's own official website, without using any link or number provided by the caller, quickly exposes the fabrication.
Common red flags
- Call claims a package linked to you contains illegal items and demands personal payment to resolve it
- Provided tracking number can't be verified on the courier's own official website
- Call escalates from a courier issue into threats of arrest or prosecution
- Request to pay via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer to avoid legal action
- Pressure to stay on the phone or video call continuously without contacting anyone else
- Caller ID or company name doesn't match any courier you're actually expecting a delivery from
What to do now
- Hang up and independently check any claimed tracking number through the courier's real official website
- Never pay money or provide financial details to resolve a supposed customs or courier issue over the phone
- Contact real local police using an independently found number if you're concerned about a genuine legal matter
- Tell a trusted person about the call, since isolation tactics are central to how this scam escalates
- Report the call to your local fraud reporting or cybercrime authority
- If you've already paid, contact your bank or payment provider immediately to attempt a reversal or trace
Frequently asked questions
Can a real customs issue ever be resolved by paying money over the phone?
No. Legitimate customs holds are handled through formal, documented processes with the courier or postal service, not through a phone call demanding immediate personal payment to a stranger.
How can I check if a tracking number is genuine?
Go directly to the courier company's official website and enter the tracking number there yourself, rather than using any link or number provided by the caller, since a fake tracking number often won't resolve to a real shipment.