A small fee, a short deadline, a link. It is one of the most effective SMS scams in the region — and one of the easiest to check.
What it looks like
The message imitates a courier or postal service and asks for a small payment so a parcel can be released:
“Your parcel is held at customs. Pay a small fee to release it.”
“Your shipment is on hold — update the address to continue delivery.”
“Delivery failed. Reschedule and pay the handling fee.”
Why the small amount is the trick
A tiny sum feels harmless, so people pay without thinking. The damage is not the fee — it is the card details entered on the fake payment page, which are then used for much larger transactions. That is how a tiny fee becomes a complete swindle.
How to check safely
Track the parcel only inside the courier's official app or website, using a tracking number you already have — never a link from a message. If you did not order anything, there is no parcel. Real couriers do not collect customs fees through a link in an SMS. Treat any suspicious link in an unexpected parcel message as unsafe by default.
If you entered your card details
Call your bank immediately and ask them to block the card and stop any pending payment. Keep the message and any screenshots, then report through the official channel for your country. Reporting matters even for a small loss — it is how the numbers are counted.
Report it officially
🇦🇪 UAE
Dubai Police eCrime (ecrime.ae, 901) · Abu Dhabi Aman 8002626 · Ministry of Interior e-Crime · emergencies 999.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior e-Crime platform · report financial fraud to your bank and SAMA · emergencies 911.
🇶🇦 Qatar
Q-CERT / NCSA [email protected] for cyber incidents · police 999 for fraud.
🇰🇼 Kuwait
CITRA Cyber Security [email protected] · Ministry of Interior cybercrime unit · emergency 112.
🇧🇭 Bahrain
National Cyber Security Center [email protected] · Ministry of Interior economic & electronic security · emergencies 999.
🇴🇲 Oman
OCERT [email protected] for cyber incidents · Royal Oman Police 9999.
