New Ecuador Scam Impersonates Customs Authority to Demand Payments

Ecuador’s customs authority has warned citizens about forged notices that use its name, logo and institutional image to demand unauthorized payments.

The National Customs Service of Ecuador, known as Senae, said the documents can appear official enough to persuade people that a customs charge is legitimate. The alleged payments may be linked to packages, goods or customs procedures, potentially targeting people who are waiting for an international parcel or handling imported products.

Senae advised the public not to make deposits or transfers and not to provide personal information before confirming that a message came through an official channel. The agency specifically warned against trusting emails, telephone numbers or other contact methods that do not belong to it.

The authority said the presence of official-looking graphics does not prove that a notification is genuine. The warning follows a July 9 alert about organized groups using WhatsApp to pose as customs agents or officials and offer vehicles and other merchandise through supposed purchases, auctions or remates. Those scams sought deposits into private accounts and requested identity documents, utility bills and banking information.

The latest scheme relies on false payment notices rather than fake sales offers, but the agency’s advice remains the same: verify the communication directly with Senae before taking any action.