Suspicious Package Drug Scam

We have recently become aware that a number of international students living in purpose built student accommodation (PBSAs) have been targeted by a scam which involves them inadvertently accepting packages on behalf of other people which contain large quantities of cannabis.

Often, the student will have a friend or acquaintance request to have packages delivered to their flat due to ‘troubles with their accommodation’ or ‘being out of the country’. These initial packages are often legitimate and will contain clothing or cosmetics from recognised brands. 

At some stage, the friend or acquaintance, will then request the student accept another package from their partner or family member, which turns out to be these suspicious parcels containing the illegal drugs. 

In the instances we’re aware of to date the packages often have some similarities which we’ve outlined below:

1. The package is similar in size to a box of A4 paper
2. The package will often have a fake or misspelt name
3. It will have been shipped from Canada
4. It will normally weigh around 2kg

Tips to Avoid this Scam

To help you avoid falling victim to this scam we’ve included some advice on steps you can take to avoid being scammed below:

1. Never agree to accept delivery of a package to your address for someone who doesn’t already live there. Even if it’s a friend or someone you’ve met before, you have no way of knowing what is actually being delivered to your address.
2. If you receive a suspicious package to your address that you didn’t order, and you’re worried it may be related to a scam, you can contact Police Scotland for advice by calling 101 from your mobile phone.
3. If someone approaches you about having a package delivered to your address for a friend or family member and you’re worried it might be a scam you should politely refuse and consider passing this information to Police Scotland by calling them on 101 from your mobile phone.
4. If you or someone in your flat has experienced this scam, you can contact Campus Security for assistance. They can be contacted via the details below or by using the SafeZone app.

Campus Security Contact Details

Gilmorehill Campus

• Email: security-main-campus@glasgow.ac.uk
• Communal Tel: 0141 330 4282
• Emergency Tel: 0141 330 4444 OR ext. 4444

Garscube Campus

• Email: supgar@admin.gla.ac.uk
• Communal Tel: 0141 330 5799
• Emergency Tel: 0141 330 2222 OR ext. 2222