Senior Citizen’s Complaint Sparks Call for Action
Bengaluru – A 72-year-old resident’s refusal to stay silent after being duped is shining a light on a sophisticated fraud targeting unsuspecting households. The retired government employee from Jayanagar is demanding a formal investigation after falling victim to a growing threat, leading the Bengaluru senior citizen to seek a cyber probe into a fake ‘cash on delivery’ parcel scam.
The incident began last Tuesday when a delivery agent arrived at the door of Suresh Menon (name changed) with a parcel and a bill for ₹1,899. Although he hadn’t ordered anything, Mr. Menon considered that his son, who lives in another city, might have sent a surprise gift. He paid the cash.
Upon opening the box, his confusion turned to anger. Inside was not a gift, but a cheap bar of soap and bundled newspaper scraps. “It wasn’t about the money,” Mr. Menon stated firmly. “It was the sheer audacity and violation of trust. I realized this was an organized racket preying on the momentary confusion of people, especially senior citizens.”
Instead of accepting the loss, Mr. Menon filed a formal complaint with the Bengaluru City Police’s cybercrime division, insisting on a full-scale probe to dismantle the network behind the scam.
How the Fake Cash on Delivery Scam Works
Cybersecurity experts explain that this scam’s effectiveness lies in its simplicity. Fraudsters acquire names and addresses from data leaks or public directories and dispatch worthless items using the COD payment method. The scam hinges on several psychological factors:
- The Surprise Factor: An unexpected delivery catches victims off-guard, preventing them from thinking clearly.
- Plausible Deniability: In households with multiple members, it’s easy for one person to assume another placed the order.
- Low-Value Transaction: Scammers keep the amount under ₹2,000, a sum many are willing to pay to avoid the hassle of refusing a delivery.
- Time Pressure: Delivery agents, who are often unaware they are part of a scam, are typically in a hurry and encourage a quick payment.
A senior cybercrime official commented on the case, stating, “The sender’s address and phone number are almost always fake, which makes tracing these culprits difficult. Mr. Menon’s insistence on a formal probe is crucial. It helps us establish patterns and connect the dots between similar complaints related to this fake ‘cash on delivery’ parcel scam.”
A Growing Menace Targeting Bengaluru Residents
This is far from an isolated case. Consumer forums and social media are filled with similar accounts from across Bengaluru and other major cities. The fraud cleverly exploits the Cash on Delivery system—a mechanism originally built to foster trust in e-commerce—and weaponizes it against the very people it was meant to empower.
Protecting Your Family from Parcel Scams: Key Safety Tips
As this scam becomes more prevalent, vigilance is the most effective defence. Experts recommend the following steps:
- Never Accept Unsolicited Parcels: Instruct all family members and domestic staff to follow a simple rule: if you didn’t order it, don’t accept or pay for it.
- Verify Before You Pay: If a COD parcel arrives unexpectedly, take a moment to call your family and confirm if they ordered anything. Do this before paying the delivery agent.
- Inspect the Sender’s Details: Carefully check the shipping label. A vague company name, a missing address, or a non-existent sender is a major red flag.
- Report All Suspicious Incidents: Even if you refuse the package, report the attempt. Alert the courier company and file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or call the helpline number 1930.
Mr. Menon’s pursuit of justice is a powerful citizen’s stand against digital-age criminals. His call for a comprehensive cyber probe serves as a vital reminder that in the era of one-click convenience, a moment of offline caution is our best protection.
