A major scam is being conducted in the name of FedEx Courier Company. This has escalated to a level where a journalist was digitally 'arrested' for several hours. The whole story was aired on Aaj Tak, following which FedEx took note and issued a statement. According to FedEx, they have no involvement in such a scam.
FedEx's Official Statement
''FedEx does not solicit personal information through unsolicited phone calls, mail, or emails related to items being sent or stored unless requested by the customer. If someone receives a suspicious phone call or message, they are advised not to share their personal information. Instead, they should immediately contact local law enforcement officers or report to the Cyber Crime Department of the Government of India.''
Read the Full Story Here...
It was a Saturday, October 5th. The time was 12:15 PM. Suddenly, I received a call from an unknown number (+00918380889795). A recorded IVR voice said, 'This call is from FedEx Courier Company. Press 1 for courier details. Press 2 for tracking updates.' I was surprised but thought perhaps it was related to some office parcel or an Amazon order, so I pressed 1. That was my first mistake, leading to several more before I realized that I had suffered hours of fear, trauma, and mental torture. Despite being aware of cyber frauds and news, I had been digitally confined.
The trouble began with a single press of a button. The voice on the other end said, 'This is Karan Verma from FedEx Courier Company. How can I assist you?' I replied, 'Sir, I received a call. I haven't sent any courier through your company. Can you please provide me the details if someone has sent it to me.'
The person claiming to be Karan Verma put the call on hold. After a moment, the same voice returned, 'Ma’am, you have sent the courier. You are the sender.' Annoyed, I said, 'I haven't sent any courier. Stop this fraudulent call.' The voice from the other end replied, 'Ma’am, your courier has been seized at Mumbai Airport.'
I laughed and said, 'Sir, tell these stories to someone else. If I haven’t sent any courier, what is there to seize?' In response, the caller sternly said, 'Your courier was being sent from Mumbai to Taiwan. After inspection, it was seized. Your Aadhaar Card is here, and this call was made after verification. I understand you might not have sent it, but I fear your Aadhaar Card has been misused. You should file a complaint about this. FedEx also needs to submit this complaint letter to Mumbai Police, and we must state that your Aadhaar was misused.'
The seriousness in the caller's voice convinced me that something was wrong with my identity that needed fixing. Trusting this, I asked what I should do. He said that the entire call is being recorded. After the beep, I need to state that I am not responsible for the courier. This recording will be sent to Mumbai Police.
I repeated as instructed, 'I have no connection with any courier from FedEx. Mumbai Police, please help me. My Aadhaar Card has been misused.'
I felt relieved that the task was done. But Karan Verma had more in store - 'You also need to talk to Mumbai Police. We need to provide a clarification note.' Annoyed, I replied, 'Sir, I don’t know any number, nor is it my courier. I’ve done what you said. This is goodbye from my end.' But Karan Verma insisted, 'Ma'am, this is necessary for the items in the courier. This clarification is crucial.' For the first time, I was unnerved. I asked, 'What exactly is in the package?'
That’s when my fear was exploited. These few seconds determined that I would be digitally trapped, followed by a series of mental tortures. Even as I am writing this report from my office, I am still wary that something involving the misuse of my ID has happened.
Karan Verma said, 'Ma’am, I am transferring your call to the Mumbai Police Department. You can file your complaint there. They will ask about courier details. Please note them down.'
I began writing...
Package Details:
Department name - FedEx Courier Company
Customer care - Karana Verma
Receiver name - Zhang Lin
Mobile number - 8862737889
Receiver Address - House number 112/3
Sanbei Road, Taipei City, Datong District
Taiwan - 104001
Parcel tracking id - 728932129197
Parcel item - 5 passports, 3 bank credit cards
4 kg cloth, 1 HP laptop, 200 grams NDMA
ICICI Bank credit card last digit - 1551
Payment - 16754
While noting down, I said, 'This is not my credit card, nor do I know anyone in Taiwan. And what is NDMA?' The response shook me to the core - 'It’s a drug, Madam. That’s why you received this call. Your Aadhaar card may have fallen into the wrong hands.'
The mention of drugs left me speechless. The whole interaction was so seamless that it seemed necessary to file a complaint, like reporting a stolen car, because we want to notify before it’s misused. With this conviction, I said, 'Transfer the call. I'll speak to Mumbai Police.'
Karan Verma transferred the call, adding, 'After filing a complaint, get a clarification note from Mumbai Police. We only need that; otherwise, this issue may haunt you.' The professional tone had a hint of concern, making me feel I was in good hands while I awaited the call transfer.
On the other side, the background noise had morphed into a busy police control room. A heavy voice said, 'This is Vinay Kumar Chaudhary from Mumbai Police. Why did you call?' I narrated the details of the FedEx call. Listening attentively, they too assured assistance, much like Karan Verma. They asked for details like my name and Aadhaar Number. The phone stayed on hold briefly, and when it resumed, the conversation had transformed into a police-like interrogation as if I had committed a crime.
-'Did you make this courier? Are you sending drugs?'.
Which drugs? I know nothing about any courier, nor do I have a home or relatives in Mumbai. Why would I send anything?
-'Who will believe you? Your name and Aadhaar are yours. If you truly claim innocence, you’ll have to file a complaint.'
That’s why I’m talking to you. FedEx said they need a clarification note.
-'Alright, visit our Mumbai Office.'
Sir, I’m in Delhi. I can’t come to Mumbai.
-'Okay then, file a complaint via online video call, which will be recorded. We’ll investigate thoroughly. Join us on Skype.'
I don’t have it on my phone. Can we use Zoom?
-'No. Download Skype right now.'
The authoritative tone sounded like a high-ranking army officer or senior police official giving orders. Scared, I complied, believing the matter was serious and required police support. The Skype download was facilitated while the audio call continued. Then, they asked a peculiar question.
-'Are you using Wi-Fi or mobile data for this call?'.
Wi-Fi.
-'Turn off your data. Put your phone in flight mode. If anyone interrupts this call, action will be taken against you.'
(This frightened me). Okay, Sir, I’ll be careful.
-'Where are you, home or office?'.
At home.
-'How many people are there? Who do you live with? Who’s involved in this?'
No one is at home.
Then
the entire house was checked on the video call. Doors were closed, curtains drawn shut, and they made sure my phone was charging as well. They left no moment for me to think or understand. I followed commands like a robot.
Once the house was secured, they instructed me to search for Mumbai 911 and click on it. After clicking, they activated the camera. There was an officer in a blue uniform - Vinay Kumar Chaudhary. He said the person on the phone with you was me. Now your statement will be recorded. I was ready. They asked me to narrate the whole incident and the package details. As soon as I mentioned - 200 grams of NDMA, the officer started berating me, questioning if I knew what’s being sent. I replied, 'Sir, I’m not sending this. I learned it’s a drug just now.'
In response, he shouted, 'You’re lying. Your Aadhaar is being verified in other departments as well. As soon as a report comes back, we’ll know what’s been done.' Suddenly, the camera was turned off. When I asked about it, they said, 'Serious details about you have emerged; I need to take the phone to my superior. Stay on the call. Ensure no movements and nobody should interrupt. Every 10 seconds, say – I AM HERE SIR!.'
Two minutes later, a different voice said, 'There’s a money laundering case against you, involving 2 crore rupees with Punjabi Sayed. They asked for my bank account details, home cash reserves, and gold holdings. With no significant property revealed, the voice intensified. Skype documents with four people’s faces were sent to me. Two were arrested. An arrest warrant was issued in my name.
Source: aajtak
I was on the phone with alleged Mumbai Police, who informed me that not only was I involved in drug trafficking but also in financial crimes. No room for skepticism. In a blink, this journalist became a criminal.
Interrogation continued, akin to a police inquiry. They questioned my bank account in Bank of Baroda. Every fraudulent detail was outlined. I was crying, but no mercy was extended. The crime was grave. The people on the other side kept listing crimes with evidence.
Source: aajtak
Later, their tone softened, offering me a chance to defend myself. They said, 'Support the police. There will be a seven-day investigation. You may have given your Aadhaar to someone in a café or an acquaintance, leading to this. Do you suspect anyone? Is there any dispute with anyone?' I refuted clearly.
They claimed this was a massive scam, involving billions. Two were already arrested. My name was also included. They assured cooperation in the investigation would offer some leniency. They also mentioned that my family was at risk. The fraudsters had eyes on my family. They knew of my home and office. If anyone was informed about this investigation, I could face 2 years in prison. Confirmed drug charges could lead to a 15-year sentence.
Source: aajtak
The police-like environment and authoritative tone made it genuinely convincing, portraying an image of entrapment, pushing one to believe the drug trafficking accusation was true. I started believing my weekends would no longer offer peace, shopping, delicious food, or fresh air.
I was given a format to follow, detailing my name, whereabouts, and activities. They mentioned that all accounts were seized. I couldn’t spend or withdraw any amount. Every move I made was monitored. (What surprised me most was their knowledge of my office timings and schedule. These facts added credibility to the whole setup.)
After an hour and a half video call, I was told, 'Hang up the phone.'
Like a robot, I disconnected the call. Even after the call was terminated, I was unable to comprehend anything. It felt like a mental jammer was blocking external thoughts. Somehow, I decided to notify someone since everything seemed to be on the line. Thinking through closed windows and doors, I wrote down the entire incident and narrated it to a relative over a video call. Shocked, they called me on WhatsApp, reassuring me it was all fake and a trap. But my mind rejected rationality. At their suggestion, I tried reporting to cybercrime, instructed to provide a written report. Even after attempting on the website, no complaint could be filed.
I then called a senior in my office, who informed me this was happening to many and that it was indeed a scam. Don’t be afraid, they advised. However, I was not ready to break free from the fear-induced spell. I called only to inform them I didn’t want any office trouble because of me. But after listening to various similar cases of fake couriers involving police and judges, I was convinced I was trapped. They reiterated filing a cybercrime complaint. After dialing 112, the police promptly arrived. Even the officers confirmed it was a scam. They advised filing a report with cybercrime, which could be done at a police station as well.
An entire day passed in terror. Sunday, October 6th, at around noon, the same call (08380726430) came in, asking for the clarification note from Mumbai Police. This time, I was prepared, and the matter didn’t progress further.
Compelled to share this experience, I began reflecting on the dangerous mental torture these scams entail. Reading or hearing about such scams, one often wonders how someone falls into such traps. Yet, I, too, succumbed to the unfolding events over that afternoon. Despite alerting others about scams, I endured hours of mental agony due to a digital entrapment. Writing this serves as a warning to stay hyper-alert, as scammers exploit fear to cloud judgment, obstructing clear thinking. I penned this to keep people vigilant and secure.
