Customs chief warns of mail fraud schemes

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs warned the public yesterday against believing notices purportedly from the BOC demanding payment for the release of parcels, saying this is a mail fraud scheme.

In a statement, BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon said that despite their previous warnings to the public, syndicates are still using the bureau to extract money from unwary victims.

Biazon advised the public to be wary of the bogus communiqués, either through mail or the Internet.

He said his office continues to get reports from people who say they received notices from alleged BOC officials, telling them their parcels are being put on hold until they pay a certain amount through money transfer.

Biazon said the BOC “never sends letters of notice about packages from abroad and duties to be paid to individuals as it is only the Postal Service Office that sends out the notices.”

He explained that the BOC’s responsibility is limited to assessing the value and to collect payments for dutiable goods being sent through the country’s postal service.

“Should there be payments for duties and taxes, its payee shall be the BOC and not somebody else,” Biazon said.

He advised victims of the mail fraud scheme to report the matter to the BOC, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police.