A farmer from Gujarat’s Rajkot district was allegedly cheated of ₹6.31 lakh after accepting a Facebook friend request from a woman claiming to be a single mother living in Germany, police said. Investigators allege that the woman gained the victim’s trust through regular online conversations before claiming she had sent him an expensive parcel from abroad.
The farmer was then allegedly contacted by people posing as customs and courier officials, who persuaded him to transfer money towards customs duty, clearance fees and other charges for a parcel that police say never existed.
Following a complaint, Gujarat Police arrested three African nationals in connection with the alleged cyber fraud and are investigating whether the accused are part of a larger organised international network. Officials have urged citizens to remain cautious of online friendships that quickly lead to financial requests and reiterated that customs authorities do not collect duties through personal bank accounts.
Online Friendship Turns Costly
According to the police investigation, the alleged fraud began when the Rajkot farmer accepted a Facebook friend request from an unknown woman who introduced herself as a German resident and a single mother.
Over a period of time, the two reportedly remained in regular contact, allowing the woman to gradually gain the victim’s confidence. Investigators believe this emotional connection formed the foundation of what cybercrime experts describe as a “romance-cum-parcel scam”, a fraud that combines online relationship-building with fake courier and customs claims.
Police said the woman later informed the farmer that she had sent him an expensive gift parcel from Germany. Soon afterwards, he allegedly began receiving calls from individuals claiming to represent customs authorities or courier agencies.
They reportedly told him that the parcel contained valuable items and could only be released after payment of customs duty, clearance charges and several other mandatory fees. Believing the claims to be genuine, the farmer allegedly transferred ₹6.31 lakh in multiple transactions. However, the promised parcel never arrived, prompting him to approach the police.
During the investigation, Gujarat Police arrested three African nationals suspected of being involved in the cyber fraud. Officials believe the accused may have been part of an organised syndicate targeting victims through fake social media identities and fabricated parcel stories.
Police are now examining digital evidence, financial transactions, mobile devices and bank records to establish the wider network behind the alleged scam. Authorities have not disclosed whether additional suspects, including those who allegedly impersonated courier or customs officials, have been identified. The investigation remains ongoing.
A Growing Pattern of Cyber Fraud
Investigators say the Rajkot case reflects a broader pattern of cyber-enabled financial fraud reported across India in recent years. Rather than relying on sophisticated hacking techniques, these scams often exploit trust, loneliness and emotional vulnerability. Fraudsters typically create convincing social media profiles, establish prolonged conversations with victims and eventually introduce the promise of expensive gifts, inheritances or financial assistance from abroad.
Once trust has been established, victims are allegedly contacted by fake customs officers, courier representatives or financial officials demanding payments for customs duty, insurance, anti-money laundering certificates, airport storage charges, foreign exchange taxes or other fabricated fees.
Each payment is presented as the final requirement before the parcel can be delivered, only for additional demands to follow. By the time victims realise that the parcel never existed, substantial sums of money have often already been transferred.
Cybercrime investigators have repeatedly advised social media users not to accept friend requests from unknown individuals without verification and to remain cautious when online conversations quickly become personal or involve financial matters. Officials have also reminded the public that legitimate customs duties are not collected through personal bank accounts or informal payment requests.
Citizens are encouraged to verify courier communications through official websites and report suspicious activity immediately to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or the cybercrime helpline before making any payments, as early reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions.
Experts Urge Digital Vigilance
Cybersecurity experts say scams like these succeed by exploiting trust rather than technology. They advise users to be cautious when accepting friend requests or engaging in conversations with unknown people on social media, especially those claiming to live abroad and offering expensive gifts or financial assistance.
Any request for customs duty, courier charges or other fees to release an international parcel should be independently verified through official channels, as genuine government agencies do not collect such payments through personal bank accounts.
Experts also recommend reporting suspicious interactions immediately to cybercrime authorities, as prompt action can improve the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions and preventing further financial losses.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Rajkot case is a reminder that cybercrime increasingly targets human emotions rather than technological weaknesses. Fraudsters understand that trust, empathy and companionship can be powerful tools for manipulation, making awareness just as important as cybersecurity. As more people connect through social media, digital literacy must extend beyond recognising suspicious links to understanding the emotional tactics that scammers use to build credibility over time.
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