OTP and Fake Customs Calls Scam (India/Global) — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 27, 2026

Severity: HIGH | View Full Scam Details

Beware the OTP and Fake Customs Calls Scam in India 2026: Stay Alert to These Fraud Tricks

A new wave of scams targeting Indians is spreading via phone calls and WhatsApp messages, falsely claiming parcels are held by customs and demanding urgent payments using your OTP or UPI.

What Is the OTP and Fake Customs Calls Scam (India/Global)?

The OTP and Fake Customs Calls Scam is a high-risk fraud pattern reported increasingly in India and worldwide throughout 2025 and now into 2026. Scammers impersonate customs officials—or sometimes federal authorities from other countries—and contact people unexpectedly, pretending that illegal or suspicious shipments are stuck under their name. These calls often allege misuse of Aadhaar or PAN details to smuggle prohibited items like counterfeit products or drugs.

This scam specifically targets anyone reachable by phone, including individuals who shop online or use courier services frequently, creating a broad potential victim pool. Victims in India have reported the scammers using familiar local terms, Indian landmarks, or government-sounding language to sound authentic and create panic. When the victim calls back or engages further, the fraudsters demand payments under the guise of customs fines or clearance fees, often insisting on quick settlement via UPI, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

CERT-In and other Indian cybersecurity bodies have flagged this rising threat, advising consumers to remain cautious and verify any unusual customs-related calls. The RBI has also warned about risks to UPI transactions through OTP theft and fake caller identification.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Contact: The scammer calls or sends a WhatsApp message claiming the victim has an illegal parcel stuck at customs. The caller claims the victim’s Aadhaar or PAN has been misused to import banned items.

2. Creating Urgency: The fraudster uses official jargon and threats of police arrest, court summons, or blacklisting to scare the victim into immediate action.

3. Demand for Payment: The caller instructs the victim to pay a large "customs fine" or "clearance fee" promptly to avoid legal trouble. The preferred payment methods are UPI, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency wallets — schemes that are hard to reverse.

4. OTP Theft Trick: During the supposed payment process, the scammer tricks the victim into sharing One-Time Passwords (OTP) sent by banks to authorize transactions, either by pretending to help or by saying it’s needed for verification.

5. Loss of Funds: With OTP and payment details, fraudsters complete unauthorized transfers from the victim’s bank accounts or UPI wallets.

6. No Recovery: By the time the victim realizes the deception, the money is irretrievably transferred, and the scammers vanish, often changing contact numbers or using disposable SIM cards.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Unsolicited calls claiming legal trouble with customs or government agencies.
• Requests for payments through UPI or cryptocurrency, especially when pressured for speed.
• Demands for OTPs or bank verification codes under any pretext.
• Use of fear tactics mentioning Aadhaar or PAN misuse tied to illegal shipments.
• Calls from unknown numbers or WhatsApp accounts impersonating officials.
• Messages or callers referencing local places to sound authentic but lacking official email IDs or website links.
• Insistence on secrecy or not discussing the matter with family or police.

What Happens to Victims

Victims of the OTP and Fake Customs Calls Scam in India can face devastating outcomes. Financially, they lose thousands or even lakhs of rupees via irreversible UPI or wire fraud transactions. Victims often report immediate bank account depletion since scammers gain control through OTP misuse. Emotionally, many suffer anxiety and fear due to threats of arrest or legal action, compounding the trauma.

In some cases, misuse of Aadhaar or PAN details leads to identity complications, affecting future credit and legal processes. Victims may also deal with SIM swap fraud that targets their mobile number, risking further exposure of their data and bank-linked services.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regularly cautions users against sharing OTPs or bank details to unknown callers and highlights the importance of secure UPI transactions. The RBI helpline is available for reporting suspicious banking transactions. CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) advises vigilance against phishing calls and recommends verifying any customs-related claims directly with official government portals or helpline numbers.

India’s Integrated Fraud Analysis Centre (I4C) and the 1930 cybercrime helpline support victims of such scams, emphasizing quick reporting to track evolving threats. These bodies urge public awareness as a key defense against impersonation frauds involving government-like calls.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Never share OTPs or bank verification codes with anyone, even if they claim to be officials.
2. Do not make any payments based on unsolicited customs or legal calls; verify independently through official customs websites or known contact numbers.
3. Avoid clicking on links or responding to WhatsApp messages from unknown numbers demanding payment or details.
4. Use UPI app transaction alerts immediately and monitor bank statements regularly.
5. Register your mobile number with the Do Not Disturb (DND) service to reduce spam calls.
6. Use call-blocking features to restrict unknown or suspicious numbers.
7. Report any suspicious calls or messages to the 1930 cybercrime helpline and file complaints on cybercrime.gov.in.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

• Immediately inform your bank and block your UPI and debit/credit cards to prevent further unauthorized transactions.
• Change your mobile SIM if you suspect SIM swap fraud.
• File a complaint with the nearest cybercrime police station or use the online portal cybercrime.gov.in.
• Call the 1930 cybercrime helpline to report the incident and seek assistance.
• Keep a record of all communications and transaction details for reference.
• Alert family members and friends about the scam to prevent further spread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can customs actually call me to demand fines over the phone?
No, legitimate customs authorities typically communicate through official letters or emails, not unsolicited calls or WhatsApp texts demanding immediate payments. Always verify through official channels.

Q2: What should I do if a caller asks for my Aadhaar or PAN details to clear a customs issue?
Never share sensitive personal information like Aadhaar or PAN with unknown callers. Verify any claims by visiting government websites or contacting the official customs helpline.

Q3: Is it safe to pay fines using UPI if asked during such calls?
No, scammers commonly use fake calls to steal OTPs and misuse UPI payments. Always confirm payment requests with genuine authorities before transferring money.

If you receive suspicious customs or legal calls, verify the information with trusted sources and report fraud immediately.

For quick verification of suspicious messages or calls, visit BharatSecure.app and report fraud safely at the 1930 cybercrime helpline.

Disclaimer: This article describes a pattern of fraud reported in public sources for public-safety awareness. It is not legal, financial, or medical advice. To request correction or removal of any content, write to hello@bharatsecure.app.