“Warrant of Arrest” Text for Unclaimed Parcel: Scam or Real? (Philippine Context)

Unsolicited text messages claiming that a “warrant of arrest” will be issued due to an unclaimed parcel have proliferated in the Philippines. These messages typically demand immediate payment of “customs penalties,” “re-delivery fees,” or “verification charges,” often through links to fake websites or e-wallets. This article explains, in plain but legally grounded terms, why these texts are scams, what the real law says about warrants and parcels, and how to respond.

Key Takeaways

Courts—not couriers or customs officers—issue warrants of arrest. A judge may issue a warrant only after personally determining probable cause in a criminal case.
Unclaimed or held parcels do not result in arrest by text. Legitimate parcel issues involve delivery reattempts, storage fees, or customs assessment, never a text-threat of arrest.
Clicking links or paying “fees” in these texts risks fraud or identity theft. Treat them as phishing and smishing attempts.
You may report incidents to law enforcement and regulators and pursue criminal and administrative remedies.

The Law on Warrants of Arrest

Constitutional & Procedural Basis

Article III, Section 2 (Bill of Rights): Warrants of arrest require probable cause, personally determined by a judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and witnesses.
Rules of Court (Criminal Procedure):
- Rule 112: After a criminal complaint/information is filed, a judge may issue a warrant if there is probable cause.
- Rule 113, Section 5: Warrantless arrests are allowed only in narrow situations (in flagrante delicto, hot pursuit, or escapees).

Implication: No private company, agency chatbot, courier, “task force,” or “customs desk” can issue or threaten a warrant of arrest by SMS over an unclaimed package. If a case existed, the process would involve a subpoena, formal notices, and court processes, not a random text link.

Parcels, Customs, and Seizures: What Actually Happens

Postal and courier practice: If a parcel is undelivered or unclaimed, carriers typically make redelivery attempts, leave door tags, or ask the addressee to pick up. There may be lawful storage or handling fees, but never arrest threats by text.
Customs issues: For dutiable, restricted, or misdeclared goods, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) uses administrative tools like Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD)—not a warrant of arrest. A WSD concerns the goods, not your person. Arrests arise only if there is a criminal case with judicial process.
Legitimate payments: Official duties/taxes are assessed via official notices/receipts and paid through authorized channels, never via random links or personal e-wallets.

Why the “Unclaimed Parcel = Warrant of Arrest” Text Is a Scam

Typical Red Flags

Urgent arrest threat tied to a parcel delay—designed to trigger panic.
Suspicious links (lookalike domains) and requests to pay immediately.
Requests for personal data, OTPs, or card details.
Poor grammar or generic salutations; sender number frequently changes.
No verifiable tracking number that matches the courier’s official site/app.

Likely Crimes Involved

Estafa (Art. 315, Revised Penal Code) for deceit to obtain money/property.
Computer-related fraud (e.g., phishing/smishing) under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Access Device fraud (if cards/OTPs are harvested) under the Access Devices Regulation Act.
Data Privacy violations (unauthorized processing/collection) under the Data Privacy Act.

How to Respond (Step-by-Step)

Do not click. Do not pay. Do not reply. Treat any embedded button/link as malicious.
Verify independently.
- If you are expecting a parcel, use the official tracking number on the courier’s official website or app.
- Contact the courier or BOC through published hotlines or verified channels—never through numbers or links in the suspicious text.
Preserve evidence.
- Take screenshots of the text, sender number, and any links.
- Note dates/times and any amounts requested.
Report and block.
- Telco/Carrier: Use spam-reporting features and block the number.
- PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group / NBI Cybercrime Division: File a report with your evidence.
- National Privacy Commission (NPC): If your data may have been misused.
- Bureau of Customs / Courier: Inform them of the spoofing attempt so they can warn other customers.
If money was lost or credentials were exposed:
- Contact your bank/e-wallet immediately to freeze/flag the account and dispute transactions.
- Change passwords; enable 2-factor authentication; monitor statements.
- File a criminal complaint (see sample affidavit outline below).

Distinguishing Real Government/Court Communication from Scams

Service of Subpoena/Notices: Generally via personal service or registered mail/courier, and in some contexts authorized electronic service—not a bare SMS with a payment link.
Court Documents: Have case numbers, titles, stamps, and signatures. You can verify with the OCC/Clerk of Court or via official judiciary portals, not through random URLs.
BOC or Courier Assessments: Issued on official forms/receipts, with reference numbers traceable through official channels.

Practical Checklist

Legit or Not? Ask:

Is there a case number or court branch that can be verified?
Does the message demand immediate payment via link or e-wallet?
Can the tracking number be verified on the courier’s official site/app?
Is the sender’s domain/number consistent with official contacts?
Does the message contain threats of arrest over a routine parcel issue?

If any answer raises doubt, assume it’s a scam.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Can I be arrested for not claiming a parcel? No. Failure to claim a parcel is not a ground for arrest. At worst, the parcel is returned, disposed of per carrier policy, or, if dutiable, assessed/forfeited under customs procedures (affecting the goods, not your liberty).

2) What if the parcel allegedly contains contraband? Arrests require probable cause in a criminal proceeding or a lawful warrantless arrest situation. You would first encounter formal notices, investigation, and due process—not an SMS demanding a fee.

3) The text shows a “warrant number.” Is that real? Scammers fabricate “warrant numbers.” Authentic warrants correspond to a specific criminal case and court branch and are verifiable through official channels.

4) The link looks similar to a known courier site. Scammers use lookalike domains. Type the official site manually or use the courier’s app. Never trust links pushed by unsolicited texts.

5) Can I sue or file a case? Yes. Depending on the facts, you may pursue estafa, computer-related offenses, and related violations. Preserve evidence, file a report with PNP-ACG/NBI, and consider civil damages.

Sample Affidavit Outline for Reporting

Affidavit of Complaint

Affiant’s name, age, address, and identification.

Statement of receipt of the text message(s): date/time, sender number, content (attach screenshots).

Description of any links clicked or payments made (attach receipts/transaction logs).

Statement that affiant does not have any pending criminal case and has no prior notice from any court.

Prayer for investigation and prosecution for estafa, cybercrime, and related offenses.

Jurat (subscribed and sworn before a notary public).

Attach: screenshots, call logs, bank/e-wallet dispute letters, and any courier verification.

Data Privacy & Personal Security Tips

Use spam filters and enable your phone’s scam protection features.
Limit public posting of your mobile number and delivery details.
Regularly change passwords, use password managers, and enable 2FA.
Monitor bank/e-wallet statements; set transaction alerts.

Bottom Line

A “warrant of arrest” text for an unclaimed parcel is a scam. Under Philippine law, only judges issue warrants after due process, and parcel issues do not trigger arrests by SMS. Do not click, do not pay, and report the incident while verifying any legitimate deliveries through official channels.