A Familiar Scam with a New Twist
This week’s scam alert highlights a growing delivery scam that has resurfaced, this time in multiple languages. Reports from across the United States and Canada show a wave of automated calls pretending to be from FedEx International Express, warning recipients about a package that has been “delivered twice with no signature.” The message then instructs users to press 1 for English or 2 for Chinese to resolve the issue.
These calls sound professional, even incorporating real-sounding prompts in both English and Mandarin. But they are part of a fraudulent robocall campaign designed to trick victims into revealing personal information or connecting with live scammers posing as customer service representatives.
How the Scam Works
The voice recording claims that this is your “last notice” about a missed delivery. It offers two language options, mimicking how major shipping companies handle customer support. However, pressing any number connects you directly to scammers. From there, callers are often asked to provide personal details such as their name, address, or payment information to “reschedule” the delivery.
The bilingual nature of the call adds credibility. For many victims, especially those expecting international shipments or speaking Mandarin as a first language, the message feels authentic. In some cases, the scammers even use caller ID spoofing to make the call appear as if it came directly from FedEx or another shipping brand.
Example Transcript
“FedEx International Express will inform you for the last time that you have a parcel that has been delivered twice and no one has signed for it. For English inquiries please press one and Chinese please press two. 联邦快递国际快递将最后一次通知您，您的包裹已投递两次，且无人签收。英文咨询请按1，中文咨询请按2。”
This script has appeared in thousands of reported calls since it was first detected in early March 2020, targeting both English and Chinese speakers across North America.
Where It’s Happening
The scam has been most active in California, New York, Massachusetts, Ontario, and British Columbia, with thousands of calls traced to rotating phone numbers. These numbers are often masked or recycled, making them difficult to block manually.
The brand being impersonated is FedEx, but similar scripts have been observed spoofing UPS, USPS, Amazon, and DHL. The campaign’s fraud score is extremely high (0.98) indicating a nearly certain scam.
Why This Type of Scam Works
Delivery-related scams are among the most effective because they exploit real-life expectations. Many people regularly receive packages, and the message’s urgency triggers quick reactions. Scammers also rely on automation and language variety to reach a broader audience without human effort.
Even cautious individuals can be fooled when a message aligns with something they’re expecting. Add a bilingual prompt, and the call gains another layer of legitimacy for recipients in multicultural communities.
