KOTA KINABALU: A teacher was cheated of over RM7,000 following an old coins sales deal that turned out to be a scam.

       The 36-year-old man had come across a social media advertisement on the sale of old coins, and proceeded to contact the suspect last Friday (March 25).

       Beaufort OCPD Deputy Supt Yusoff Zaki Mat Yaacob said the victim contacted the suspect through WhatsApp as he wanted to buy the coins, and had arranged payments.

       He said the teacher had transferred a total of RM7,550 in three transactions to three different accounts as per instructions from the suspect.

       "“The teacher realised the whole deal was a fraud when the suspect asked him for his banking details," he said.

       The teacher only lodged a police report on Tuesday (March 29).

       "Initial investigations found that the suspect’s modus operandi was to put up advertisements on the sales of old coins in social media platforms such as Instagram," DSP Yusoff said.

       He advised the public to be wary of such scams and tactics when dealing with online sales and purchase.