BOC issues urgent public warning against scammers posing as customs officials

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) issued an urgent advisory, warning the public against a sophisticated scheme involving unscrupulous individuals who falsely represent themselves as BOC officials to fraudulently solicit money. These scammers exploit the need for customs-related services by employing fabricated documents, fake identification cards, bogus email addresses, and unverified mobile numbers to demand illegal payments.

The Bureau emphasizes that this fraudulent activity is a criminal offense designed to deceive and defraud the public. The individuals involved in this scam are attempting to intercept financial transactions and compromise the integrity of legitimate customs processes. The BOC is actively coordinating with law enforcement agencies to track down and prosecute those responsible.

Official BOC Policy on Transactions and Payments

To ensure public safety and transparency, the Bureau of Customs reminds all stakeholders and the general public of its stringent operational protocols:

• Zero Tolerance for Solicitation: No BOC official or employee is authorized to solicit or receive any form of payment, fee, or service charge outside of the official, mandated payment processes.
• Official Channels Only: All official communications, payment instructions, and services are strictly conducted through authorized BOC offices, official government email accounts, and publicly verified contact channels.
• Verification is Mandatory: Any request for payment or sensitive personal information should be viewed with extreme caution. The public must verify the identity of any person claiming to be a BOC official and the legitimacy of the documents presented.

Protect Yourself: Verified Communication Channels

For your protection, the Bureau strongly urges the public to immediately report any similar incidents and communicate only through the verified and official communication channels listed below:

The BOC remains committed to its mandate of facilitating trade, collecting revenue, and securing the borders, and will continue to pursue measures to protect the public from fraudulent schemes aimed at undermining the Bureau’s operations.