New Delhi: With the rapid rise of online shopping, a new form of fraud involving Cash on Delivery (COD) parcels is spreading quickly, where packages that were never ordered are delivered to homes and offices. When courier agents say “It’s COD, please pay,” many recipients pay in confusion, only to discover later that the box contains cheap or worthless items.
Cyber security agencies say the scam is simple yet highly effective. Fraudsters use victims’ names, addresses and mobile numbers to collect cash or instant digital payments. Once the payment is made, the money is routed through the courier settlement process directly to the sender’s account, making recovery nearly impossible.
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Data leaks fueling the fraud
Experts say scammers obtain personal details from data breaches, hacked e-commerce accounts, public listings or compromised databases of small sellers. Using this information, fake parcels are booked in the victim’s name.
In some cases, fraudsters send prior messages or calls claiming, “Your parcel is arriving,” or “A gift has come from abroad, only delivery charges are payable,” making the delivery appear legitimate and prompting people to pay without verification.
Social pressure and quick decisions
The presence of a courier agent at the doorstep, the relatively small amount involved and the assumption that another family member may have placed the order often lead to hurried decisions. Fraudsters exploit this urgency and social pressure.
Unlike digital payment frauds where chargebacks and monitoring mechanisms exist, COD payments are made in cash or instant transfer, leaving little room for dispute once the amount is handed over.
How to identify suspicious deliveries
Cyber experts advise refusing payment if the parcel is unfamiliar, there is no order record, or the sender’s name appears suspicious. Courier companies typically mark such shipments as “rejected” and return them.
It is essential to confirm within the household or office whether anyone actually placed the order. Paying solely based on name and address can be risky.
What to do if payment is already made
If payment has been made and the parcel turns out to be fake, the recipient should immediately contact the courier company’s customer support and file a complaint using the tracking or airway bill number. If the settlement is still in process, the transaction may sometimes be halted.
Additionally, victims should file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Portal and inform the 1930 helpline. Prompt reporting increases the chances of investigation and possible recovery.
Small payments, large-scale fraud
Security agencies note that fraudsters are collecting large sums through multiple small payments. While the loss per victim appears minor, the cumulative amount runs into crores, making COD scams increasingly lucrative and widespread. Families are emerging as easy targets.
Prevention is the best defence
Cyber police have urged people to maintain records of all online orders, refuse unknown parcels and verify deliveries before making any payment. Sharing order details within the family can also prevent such frauds.
In the digital convenience era, vigilance remains the strongest safeguard. Not every parcel delivered at the door is genuine—a moment of carelessness can turn into a costly scam.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
