Request from 'Singapore Customs' to 'complete freight charges' for parcel delivery is a scam

Singapore Customs has warned that a request purportedly from the agency asking the recipient to "complete the freight charges and surcharge fees" is fake.

In a Facebook post on May 3, Singapore Customs said it had recently learnt of a scam incident where a member of the public received a “payment request” from the agency for "declaration/documentation/inspection and freight".

The “payment request” shared by Singapore Customs claimed that the recipient owed $2,470 in charges.

"You are expected to fulfill the payment as soon as possible," said the request, which was purportedly from "Chun Yun Li" in the "Custom Department".

In the post, Singapore Customs said it does not demand payment for the release of goods.

"Any form of letters with Customs logo you receive with instructions to make payment to other parties are also likely to be fake," added the agency.

"We would also NOT send official correspondence from personal e-mail accounts or other unofficial e-mail domains."

Two weeks earlier, a similar Facebook post on April19 warned the public to beware of a document falsely bearing the Customs logo and a request for payment to “release” a package allegedly being held for clearance.

The agency advised the public to verify all communication claiming to be from Singapore Customs by e-mailing customs_feedback@customs.gov.sg

More information on how to protect against Customs-related scams can be found at go.gov.sg/scam-advisory