Courier companies linked to e-commerce are facing an unprecedented wave of online scam attempts by cybercriminals who misuse the companies’ branding to demand unwarranted additional fees, conduct nonexistent sales, and redirect users to unsafe links.
In these scams, criminals use emails, WhatsApp text messages, social media, and fake websites to deceive consumers by mimicking official company communications, including unauthorized use of courier logos.
“Through emails or text messages posing as official communications, criminals engage in phishing, asking users to download files or click on links to steal data or even make them pay nonexistent extra fees related to package deliveries,” explains Bruno Tortorello, CEO of Jadlog Logística, one of Brazil’s largest less-than-truckload and e-commerce logistics providers.
In another method, cybercriminals create ads for virtual auctions of smartphones or other electronics at seemingly affordable prices—supposedly promoted by courier companies on media websites—to lend credibility to the scam.
Fake job offers, cloned websites offering supposed courier services, and fraudulent contracts sent via messaging apps to recruit fleet partners are also tactics scammers use to steal money or user data.
“Fraudsters have created fake social media profiles using Jadlog’s name and logo in older scams, for example, to offer fake job openings and request payments from candidates to participate in a supposed hiring process,” said Alexandro Strack, IT Director and DPO (Data Protection Officer) at Jadlog.
“In light of these numerous fraudulent practices, Jadlog reiterates that it never requests payments via WhatsApp, email, or social media, nor does it conduct direct sales or charge additional fees through unofficial channels. Furthermore, the company states that all legitimate communications are made exclusively through its official institutional channels on the website jadlog.com.br, Instagram @jadlog.oficial, Facebook @jadlogoficial, and LinkedIn @jadloglogistica. This applies to other courier companies and businesses in the market, and people must stay alert to avoid falling victim to increasingly bold criminals,” Strack added.
Internally, the company is investigating reports filed by customers to trace the origins of these scams and identify the fraudsters. Jadlog has filed a report with the São Paulo Civil Police and continues to cooperate with investigations. Simultaneously, it has been issuing fraud alerts through official channels to protect customers and partners.
