I thought I had a job. I was shipping for criminals.

I answered a work-from-home ad that paid per package: items would arrive at my house, I would relabel and forward them, and a direct deposit would follow.

It sounded like warehouse work without the commute.

Parcels came daily with my name on the box and a printed sheet with the next address.

I did not open the goods; I just swapped labels and dropped them at the carrier.

After three weeks a neighbour mentioned a news story about reshipping scams, and I searched the pattern that night.

The articles explained stolen payment data buying goods shipped through mules so the trail ends at an innocent door.

I stopped shipping, kept the remaining boxes, and went to the police with screenshots of the “employer” chat.

While I was working the gig I told myself asking what was inside would sound nosy and might cost me the only income I had cobbled together that month.

A detective said several items matched fraud reports from retailers; because I had cooperated and stopped, I was treated as a witness, but the conversation made clear how easily I could have been deeper in.

I was not paid for the last batch, my address was on file with criminals, and I worried about legal exposure until the case note cleared; the shame of having moved the boxes lasted longer than the “job.”

Any role that pays you only to receive and reship strangers’ packages is a red flag.

Real logistics companies do not run that way from random Gmail accounts.

• Do not forward packages for unknown “employers”; you may be moving stolen goods.
• Report the scheme to police and the FTC (US) or your national fraud body.

For more help, see our Report a scam page and Spot and avoid scams guide.