Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has issued a warning to the public regarding "love scams" that deceive victims into paying money to release a purported parcel or gift.

According to Philippines News Agency, the BOC highlighted that scammers leverage the agency's name to give a semblance of legitimacy to their fraudulent activities, convincing victims that fees must be paid for the release of a package. The scam typically starts with an introduction made via social media, messaging apps, or online dating platforms. After establishing trust, the scammer claims to have sent a gift from abroad, including items like jewelry, gadgets, or money. In some cases, a small, legitimate parcel is initially sent to secure the victim's trust.

Eventually, victims receive communication from someone posing as a Customs employee, claiming that the package is held due to unpaid duties, taxes, or processing fees. To enhance the credibility of the scheme, scammers use fake invoices, shipping documents, and counterfeit tracking websites. They may also send digitally altered photos of the package or expensive gifts to convince victims of the parcel's authenticity.

The BOC reported that victims are often asked to send payments via personal bank accounts, e-wallets, or money remittance services. Some victims have been made to pay multiple times for various alleged charges before the package is supposedly released.

Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized that this is not part of any official agency process, stating that no BOC employee or official is authorized to demand or accept payments through personal bank accounts, e-wallets, or money remittance services. He advised the public to exercise caution and verify information through official channels if someone met online claims to have sent a gift and requests payment for its release.

The BOC urged the public to be discerning when interacting with people online and to report any suspicious communications using the Customs name to solicit money. They reiterated that requests for payment for packages allegedly held at Customs, especially when directed to personal accounts or e-wallets, are highly likely to be scams. Verification is crucial before sending any money.