COD Scam Alert in India: How Fraudsters Are Using Big Courier Brands to Pull Off Fake Delivery Scams

The rise of online shopping in India is increasing, with consumers enjoying the comfort of sitting in their homes and ordering whatever they like. Nevertheless, this surge has also made households more vulnerable than before. The digital and delivery-based frauds are rising with the increase in online shopping.

From fake e-commerce websites to phishing calls, scammers are coming up with new strategies to dupe buyers. Recently, a new scam has emerged, affecting people across the country. This new cash-on-delivery scam is mentioned by a digital creator named Tvisha Tuli on her Instagram account.

What is This New COD Scam

In this cash-on-delivery scam, fraudsters are sending parcels through reputable courier partners and companies like Delhivery, Blue Dart, Ecom Express, and Shadowfax. The package will arrive under the name of someone in the household; however, only find out it has never been placed by the person. As soon as the parcel is returned, the scammers send another package under a different name.

Under this scenario, users assume that the second delivery is genuine and pay the COD amount. Upon opening, the product often turns out to be counterfeit, damaged, or completely different from the description.

Not only this, but even labels, QR codes, or product details may be misleading or fake, making it difficult for the recipient to detect the fraud immediately.

Potential Risks of this COD Scam

This scam is potentially risky because scammers know which households are placing frequent COD payments. They exploit familiar courier brands and create a false sense of trust. Anyone, even with tech knowledge, can be tricked under this COD scam.

Here’s How You Can Protect Yourself

• You can follow these steps can avoid falling for this new COD scam. Here’s what you can do.
• Verify orders before accepting parcels
• Older relatives may blindly trust familiar courier brands, so encourage them to check before paying.
• Look for mismatched product descriptions, invalid QR codes, or suspicious labels.
• Notify the courier company immediately if something feels off. Legitimate services want to prevent misuse.
• Do not pay COD without asking for an invoice, reference number, or confirmation from the seller.