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What are Shipping Scams?

A shipping scam is a form of fraudulent activity where the scammer tricks a victim into paying for goods or services that do not exist. The scammer typically acts as a shipping company, asking for payment for receiving a package or offering to move items that are of high value or require discretion. They then ask for payment via Bitcoin or cryptocurrency, citing various reasons such as speed, security, or international transactions. After the payment is made, the scammer will ask for more payments or they disappear, leaving the buyer without their money or the promised item.

How Shipping Scams Scams Operate:

Shipping scammers generally follow one of two consistent patterns:

First Pattern - Offering a Service: 

1. Setting the trap: Scammers will list high-demand services like secure storage and shipping. 
2. Engaging the victim: Once the victim shows interest, the scammer will communicate and negotiate terms, often appearing extremely professional and accommodating. Often they they continue with emails or a website showing package tracking which can be updated to match their story. 
3. Requesting payment: The scammer then requests payment in Bitcoin, often using a Bitcoin ATM, citing reasons such as privacy, speed of transaction, or international remittance.
4. The scam: Once the Bitcoin payment is made, the scammer either disappears or continues to ask for further payments. Since Bitcoin transactions are irreversible, it is nearly impossible for the victim to recover their funds.

Second Pattern - Receiving a Shipment: 

1. Setting the trap: Scammers will contact you saying you or someone you know is expecting a shipment. They often use the name of a shipping company like UPS, Puralator, Canada Post. 
2. Building their story: The scammer will use information to make themselves credible, providing addresses, names of people you know, and details that make their story believable. 
3. Requesting payment: The scammer then requests payment in Bitcoin, often using a Bitcoin ATM, citing reasons such as privacy, speed of transaction, or international remittance.
4. The scam: Once the Bitcoin payment is made, the scammer disappears. Since Bitcoin transactions are irreversible, it is nearly impossible for the victim to recover their funds.

Prevention: Stay Alert

Preventing shipping scams requires awareness and vigilance:

• Be skeptical: If a shipment continually is held up for customs, duties, or goes to another country or province unnecessarily or if the company threatens loss of your shipment if you fail to pay in cryptocurrency or with urgency these are signs of shipment fraud.
• Research the seller: Search for information about the seller online. If you can't find any details or negative reviews, be wary. Some scammers will use the name of a legitimate company, check that the company provides the same services and specifies if they accept cryptocurrency on their website. 
• Confirm with the company: If someone is contacting you from UPS, FedEx, Canada Post or another well known company, reach out to the support team on the company's website and confirm that this shipment exists.
• Use trusted payment processors: Bitcoin transactions are irreversible, and once you send the Bitcoin, it cannot be returned. Reputable shipping companies will never ask for Bitcoin payment for goods or services. 
• Use secure and trusted platforms: Use platforms that offer buyer protection. These platforms hold the payment until the goods are received and checked by the buyer.

If You Are a Victim of a Scam:

See our guide on what to do if you are the victim of a scam / fraud.