Subject: Fraudulent Practices by unscrupulous elements in the name of Customs – reg. - Customs - 11 /2018

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS NEW CUSTOMS HOUSE, PANAMBUR, MANGALURU 575 010 www.customsmangalore.gov.in Phone No : 0824-2408164 E-Mail ID: [email protected] Fax No: 0824- 2407100 F.NO.S-26/27/2018 Cus Tech Date : 03.05.2018 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 11 /2018 Subject: Fraudulent Practices by unscrupulous elements in the name of Customs reg. Instances have come to notice, when some persons have received e-mails, calls etc. from unscrupulous elements stating that they have won a lottery or received a free gift/ parcel/ courier consignment from some persons known to them through social media, and certain amount is demanded from them in the name of Customs duty. They impersonate as Customs officers and give directions that such deposits be made in some specified personal bank account created for the fraudulent purpose of extorting money, purportedly under the garb of facilitating Customs clearance of consignments. They may also issue fictitious receipts in the name of Indian Customs, for having paid the same amount as Customs duties etc. 2. The public is hereby cautioned to be wary of such unscrupulous people/ organizations/ calls/ emails and not pay/ deposit any money with them, as no such charge or duty is ever asked for by any officers of Customs to be paid in any personal bank account and all payments of Customs duties are mandatorily routed through nominated Nationalized bank/ Government banking channels. 3. It is therefore, advised that authenticity of the documents/ calls / emails may please be verified and all documents like Airway Bill, Bill of Entry, etc. may be demanded from the courier company concerned before payment of any such duty. In case, the public receives such suspicious calls/ mails regarding any courier package/ shipments to be cleared through Air Cargo Complex/Mangalore International Airport, Mangalore, then they may contact the Assistant Commissioner of Customs/ Superintendent of Customs (Admin), Mangalore International Airport, at 0824- 2220430/ 0824-2252511 or through email - [email protected], for seeking clarification regarding the authenticity of the same. ( Dr. M. Subramanyam) COMMISSIONER