KUALA LUMPUR: Scammers have begun making teachers their target, having duped them of over RM5 million this year.
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said police records showed that between Jan 1 and Oct 13, a total of 75 cases were reported involving teachers who were scammed.
He said this meant that each teacher on average lost RM76,046.
"It is troubling to hear that teachers are becoming victims of such scam tactics.
On average, this meant that each victim lost RM76,046.
"I urge all teachers to be aware of current affairs and to keep abreast of the latest tactics used by scam syndicates.
"We look at teachers as those capable of spreading knowledge. We hope that they can use their role to also spread awareness on commercial crimes as well," he told reporters on Thursday.
He said the latest case involved a retired teacher, who lost RM1.75 million to a scammer who posed as a Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) officer.
The 72-year-old woman from Sandakan is believed to have handed over her money after being convinced that she was being probed for money-laundering.
Ramli said they received a report on Oct 9 from the victim.
"She received a call on Aug 22 from the suspect, who claimed to be from the MCMC. He told her that she was being investigated for money laundering.
"The caller then transferred her to another person, who claimed to be a police officer from the Bintulu police headquarters. The bogus policeman told her to list down all her bank accounts and swear an oath of secrecy over the so-called investigation," he said.
He said the victim was also ordered to "report to an officer from Bukit Aman" twice a day while the case was being investigated.
"The victim was ordered to place all her funds into four of her bank accounts. She was also instructed to place her bank cards, pin numbers, and mobile phone sim cards into an envelope and place it in the bushes near an alleyway to allow investigators to perform and audit.
"The victim only realised she was duped when she found that her money had been withdrawn and transferred without her knowledge," he said.
Ramli said another similar case took place in Pahang on Oct 7, where another teacher lost RM160,000 through a phone scam.