Phone Scam Targeting International Students

Three phone calls that almost broke me

I'm not proud of how close I came to falling for these. But I want you to learn from my panic.

---

Call 1: "DHL"

Ring ring. Unknown number.

"Hello, we are DHL. You have a package being held at customs. There is a problem with the documentation."

I had ordered something from China a week ago. My heart spiked.

"If you do not resolve this today, the package will be sent back or destroyed."

They transferred me to a "customs officer." He was very official. Very patient. Asked for my passport number to "verify the shipment."

That's when my roommate walked in and asked who I was talking to. I almost hung up.

I didn't. But I should've.

---

Call 2: "Chinese Embassy"

This one was smarter. They left a voicemail. In Chinese. With the official embassy greeting.

"You have an important document pending at the Chinese Embassy. Please press 1 to callback."

I pressed 1. They told me there was a parcel with "suspicious items" linked to my passport. I was being investigated for "financial crimes."

They sounded so concerned. They wanted to "help me." All I had to do was transfer money to a "secure government account" to prove my innocence.

I started crying. I'm not even embarrassed to admit it. I was alone in my room, thousands of miles from home, and someone was telling me I might be arrested.

---

Call 3: "IRS"

This one hit when I was doing my taxes. The caller ID looked official. They said I owed back taxes and would be deported if I didn't pay immediately.

Same script. Wire transfer. Gift cards. "Don't tell anyone, this is a保密案件."

---

Here's what I learned:

Real government agencies don't call you out of the blue demanding money. They don't threaten deportation on the phone. They don't ask for gift cards. They don't tell you to keep things secret.

If you get a call like this:

Hang up. Use the official number you find yourself (not one they give you) to call back. For Chinese consular help: +86-10-12308.

What to do if you think you might be in trouble with authorities:

Hang up

Verify independently (look up the real number)

Talk to your school's international student office before doing anything

No legitimate agency will ever tell you to keep it secret from friends/family