Arianna Rodríguez Campillo, a Cuban content creator, has taken to Instagram to reveal an attempted scam where she was targeted through a phone call. The call informed her of a supposed package delivery and requested her banking details via Transfermóvil.
In her account, Arianna mentioned that scammers contacted her on her landline, provided her full name, and claimed she was to receive a delivery.
"They said, 'Ariana Rodríguez Campillo, you are about to receive a package.' I was expecting a parcel for my son, not for me, so I thought it seemed legit," she recounted.
The alleged delivery personnel introduced themselves as "Claudia Sánchez Domínguez" and "Julio Lastre Pascual," assigned her a fictitious package number, and suggested a delivery time between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m.
How the Transfermóvil Scam Operates
The scam involved instructing her to open the Transfermóvil app, enter a card number, and input the code "00005999" in the amount field. This would have actually resulted in a transfer of 5,999 Cuban pesos, as leading zeros hold no numerical value.
A viewer of her video clarified, "That's not a code. It's the amount they aim to steal because zeros on the left are worthless, meaning they intended to swindle you out of 5,999."
Arianna, who had previously fallen victim to a scam leading to an arrest, recognized the deceit just in time.
"They wanted to scam me again today, but I reacted quickly because experience teaches you," she said, directly confronting the scammer: "Listen, darling, stop being such a con artist and don't call me again. I'm not falling for your trick."
Widespread Deception in Cuban Households
She alerted others to the scammers' polished approach: "They call with such politeness, as if from a legitimate company. I can't convey how convincing they are; it feels like you're speaking with a radio host."
Comments on her video indicate this scam is prevalent in Cuba, impacting numerous families. Many noted that scammers sometimes call as late as 4 a.m., and the targeted individuals are often genuinely expecting a delivery when contacted.
"They need to investigate the shipping agencies because everyone scammed is coincidentally awaiting packages. I got a call at 4 a.m. at my home, thank God I didn't fall for it," one commenter shared.
Another user suggested a theory circulating among victims: "They know when we receive shipments because they have hacked into the agency databases in Miami."
On April 11, the Banco Popular de Ahorro in Sancti Spíritus confirmed similar incidents. Maité Hernández Gómez, head of Electronic Banking at the institution, stressed, "Transfer options move money from your account to another, they don't confirm payments."
Understanding and Avoiding Scam Calls in Cuba
How do scammers use Transfermóvil in their schemes?
Scammers instruct victims to use Transfermóvil to input a code that looks like a confirmation number but is actually an amount, leading to unauthorized transfers.
What should you do if you receive a suspicious call about a package delivery?
If you receive such a call, do not provide any personal information or banking details. Verify the legitimacy of the delivery with the shipping company through official channels.
Why are scammers targeting package recipients?
Scammers target individuals expecting deliveries to exploit their anticipation and trust, making it easier to deceive them with fake confirmation calls.