I got a call claiming my courier/parcel is stuck with customs and demanding payment, is this legal?

Someone called claiming to be from customs/FedEx/courier saying my parcel contains illegal items and I must pay a fine or share OTP to release it. I would rather settle this without going to court if the law allows it, but I need to know my rights before I sign anything. Please tell me what to do first and what document to keep.

Under Indian law, Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 66D is the starting point for this cyber law question. What follows is the position in substance, together with the steps that usually make the difference in practice.

This is the 'digital arrest' / courier scam pattern, which is cheating by personation under Section 66D IT Act (impersonating customs/police/courier officials) combined with cheating under Section 318 BNS, since the caller dishonestly induces you to pay or share OTPs.

If the caller threatens arrest or legal action to pressure you (the 'digital arrest' variant where victims are kept on video call and threatened), this also amounts to criminal intimidation under Section 351 BNS, and in extreme cases, wrongful confinement-like coercion.

No genuine customs or police process in India requires you to pay a fine over a phone call, transfer money to a personal UPI ID, or stay on a video call under threat — official communication is always through written notices with verifiable department reference numbers.

Never share OTPs or make payments during such calls; hang up and independently verify by calling the courier company's official customer care number found on their website, not any number given by the caller.

If money has already been paid, report immediately to 1930/cybercrime.gov.in, since these scams typically route the money through mule accounts that can sometimes still be frozen within a short window.

What to do next: 1) Hang up immediately and do not share any OTP or make any payment; 2) Independently verify with the courier company using their official contact details; 3) If money was paid, call 1930 or file at cybercrime.gov.in immediately; 4) Report the calling number to the telecom operator and block it.

If you are unsure whether your facts fall inside Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 66D, that is worth checking with an advocate before you commit to a route, because switching later costs time. You can post the details on the MyVakeel forum for a practising advocate to review, or book a paid consultation with a Bar Council verified lawyer in cyber law.

Disclaimer: This information is for general awareness and does not constitute legal advice. Statutes and their interpretation change, and outcomes depend on the facts of your case. Please consult a qualified advocate before acting on it.