Jaipur, Rajasthan – Cybercriminals are exploiting the trust people place in delivery services by posing as courier representatives to activate call forwarding on victims’ phones and siphon money through deceptive UPI links. The cybercrime branch of the Rajasthan Police has issued a public warning following a sharp spike in such fraud cases across the state.
According to officials, more than 1,500 complaints of courier-related cyber fraud have been filed in cyber crime police stations throughout Rajasthan over the past two months.
How the Courier Call Forwarding Scam Works
SP Shantanu Kumar from the Cyber Crime Branch explained the modus operandi of the fraudsters: criminals contact unsuspecting individuals claiming that a parcel is awaiting delivery. The victim is told to dial codes such as ##21# or *401*<number># to confirm or track the delivery.
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However, these codes are not benign—they activate call forwarding on the victim’s mobile device. Once enabled, all incoming calls are redirected to the fraudsters, who then intercept OTPs and verification codes. In several reported cases, the criminals emptied bank accounts by sending fake UPI links and using intercepted OTPs for financial transactions.
Police Issue Advisory and Public Precautions
The Rajasthan Police have issued an official advisory urging residents to verify the legitimacy of courier calls. Authorities stress that no delivery service requires users to dial codes to confirm packages. “If you receive a call regarding a courier, always verify its source. Never dial unfamiliar codes or share OTPs unless you are absolutely sure,” the advisory reads.
The police have urged citizens to immediately report any such incidents to the cybercrime helpline 1930 or register complaints at https://cybercrime.gov.in.
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How to Protect Yourself from Courier Scams
To avoid falling victim to these scams, the Cyber Crime Branch recommends the following precautions:
- Never dial codes like
##21#or*401#if instructed by an unknown caller. - Do not share OTPs or personal details with delivery agents without verifying their credentials.
- Confirm courier details directly with the company through their official website or helpline.
- Avoid clicking on unsolicited UPI or payment links shared through SMS or WhatsApp.
- If you suspect fraud, immediately call 1930 and inform your bank to block any unauthorized activity.
With cybercriminals adopting increasingly sophisticated tactics, authorities emphasize that vigilance and prompt reporting are key to preventing widespread financial loss.
