$789M
Government imposter losses in 2024
FTC says government imposter scams cost consumers $789 million in 2024.
Customs duty release scam
A shipment or parcel is said to be held by customs, and the victim must clear it with a duty payment and identity upload through a fake portal.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionGlobal
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$3.6K
median reported loss
Typical range$240 – $60K
Recovery rate~8%
Annual reports76,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers mimic agencies, courts, tax authorities, customs, or registries and create a compliance emergency.
2
Victims are pressured into paying or disclosing identity information before they verify the claim.
3
The authority framing does most of the persuasion work, especially in stressful or unfamiliar situations.
What to do first
Check the shipment directly with the courier or customs office using a trusted channel.
Related terms
customs duty fraudparcel release scamGovernment impersonationEmailSurgingOnline shoppersSmall importersTravelersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsGlobalcustoms duty fraudparcel release scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Jessica, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate government impersonation situation while using Email. Scammers mimic agencies, courts, tax authorities, customs, or registries and create a compliance emergency.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Victims are pressured into paying or disclosing identity information before they verify the claim.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The authority framing does most of the persuasion work, especially in stressful or unfamiliar situations.
The outcome
Jessica realized something was wrong when the message claims legal escalation if you do not pay the release charge immediately.. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Check the shipment directly with the courier or customs office using a trusted channel. Jessica's experience shows why the message claims legal escalation if you do not pay the release charge immediately. and the message threatens penalties, detention, or account freezes before verification. are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The message claims legal escalation if you do not pay the release charge immediately.
- The message threatens penalties, detention, or account freezes before verification.
- Payment or identity requests appear through an ad hoc channel rather than a formal process.
- Real government agencies do not demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, crypto, or payment app.
- Threats of arrest, deportation, license suspension, or court action if you hang up are classic scam signals.
- Letters, badges, seals, or callback numbers can all be fabricated; verify through the agency website you type yourself.
What to do now
- ✓Check the shipment directly with the courier or customs office using a trusted channel.
- ✓Do not pay or share identity data from the first message or call.
- ✓Contact the agency through its official public website or phone number.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the caller ID, badge images, letters, payment instructions, and any phone numbers used.
- ✓Keep screenshots of the text, email, or fake government portal before you close it.
- ✓If the scam referenced a case number or legal notice, record the exact wording used.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
$2.95B
Imposter scam losses in 2024
FTC says imposter scams overall were the most reported fraud category in 2024 and generated $2.95 billion in losses.
1,000+
Government-imposter monthly complaints can top 1,000
FTC company complaint reports show government-imposter entries like FTC or Customs and Border Protection can exceed a thousand monthly complaints.
History and evolution
- Government-impersonation scams have been around for years, but they keep adapting to tax cycles, court anxiety, immigration fear, and current events.
- The consistent tactic is fake authority plus urgency, especially when victims are told they cannot pause and verify independently.
- Government impersonation works because fear of penalties can overpower ordinary verification habits.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓If identity documents, tax details, or account credentials were exposed, start identity-theft recovery and review credit or account activity immediately.
- ✓Check the shipment directly with the courier or customs office using a trusted channel.
- ✓Do not pay or share identity data from the first message or call.
Why this pattern keeps working
Government impersonation works because people are conditioned to respond quickly to legal or tax consequences.
Scammers reuse whatever agency names are already in the news, then mix them with fake case numbers or official-looking documents.
Government impersonation works because fear of penalties can overpower ordinary verification habits.
Next batch family for agency, customs, benefits, and compliance impersonation.
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. Global has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
Report cross-border scams
econsumer.gov (ICPEN)
International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network portal for reporting cross-border online scams. Reports are shared with consumer protection agencies in 40+ countries.
Interpol financial crime guidance
Interpol
International policing guidance on online financial fraud, romance scams, and investment fraud operating across borders.
Report phishing emails
Anti-Phishing Working Group
Global industry coalition for reporting phishing emails and URLs. Forward phishing to [email protected].
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Online shoppers, Small importers, Travelers
Geographic concentration
Global
Primary channel
Email — Government impersonation
Why this group is vulnerable
Online shoppers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Government impersonation works because fear of penalties can overpower ordinary verification habits.
Source notes
- Next batch family for agency, customs, benefits, and compliance impersonation.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about customs duty release scam
How does the customs duty release scam work?+
Scammers mimic agencies, courts, tax authorities, customs, or registries and create a compliance emergency. Victims are pressured into paying or disclosing identity information before they verify the claim. The authority framing does most of the persuasion work, especially in stressful or unfamiliar situations.
What are the warning signs of customs duty release scam?+
The message claims legal escalation if you do not pay the release charge immediately. The message threatens penalties, detention, or account freezes before verification. Payment or identity requests appear through an ad hoc channel rather than a formal process.
What should I do if I encounter customs duty release scam?+
Check the shipment directly with the courier or customs office using a trusted channel. Do not pay or share identity data from the first message or call. Contact the agency through its official public website or phone number.
Who is most at risk for customs duty release scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Small importers, Travelers. It is most commonly reported in Global and typically appears on Email.
Is customs duty release scam getting worse?+
Customs duty release scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across Global. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.