Melaka teacher loses RM78,000 in online scam

MELAKA: A young teacher's hope of earning some supplemental income was dashed after she was duped of RM78,000 in an online scam offering part-time jobs.

Alor Gajah OCPD Supt Arshad Abu said the 27-year-old victim lodged a police report at Masjid Tanah police station on Monday (April 3).

He said the victim was offered a job just to review interesting areas that appeared online.

"The victim was offered the job by an individual who identified herself as 'Yasmin' on March 31 through WhatsApp," he said on Tuesday (April 4).

Supt Arshad said the victim was then asked to "invest" in the same company that offered her the job in order to convince the other shareholders.

He said the victim was told her investment would also make her eligible for additional earnings and other perks.

"The victim then transferred her savings on April 1 and 2 to a bank account provided by the fraudster," he said.

Supt Arshad said the victim realised the offer was a scam after her correspondence with Yasmin went silent as soon as she deposited the money.

He said the teacher's report was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

"We only can advise the public not to be deceived by advertisements on social media that offer lucrative returns," he added.