A parent paid RM180 for school transport, only to be left waiting when the scammer driver never showed up.
A ROUTINE arrangement for school transport turned into a costly lesson for a parent after they were allegedly scammed by an individual posing as a school bus operator.
The incident, shared on Threads, described how the parent paid RM180 to secure transportation for their child, only to be left waiting at the school for a driver who never arrived.
“My mistake too for not asking for a driving licence,” the user, identified as Firdausmalek, wrote in his post, along with screenshots of the conversation with the alleged transporter.
According to the posts, the individual initially appeared professional, asking routine questions about pick-up and drop-off arrangements that gave the impression of a legitimate service.
Screenshots of the exchange showed the alleged driver confirming details such as meeting arrangements at the school and requesting to be introduced to the child, further reinforcing the perception of authenticity.
On the day of the scheduled pick-up, the parent waited at the school as agreed, but after repeated unanswered calls and failed attempts to reach the driver, no transport arrived.
The situation prompted concern online, with users highlighting how easily trust can be exploited in informal service arrangements conducted through social media platforms and messaging apps.
“The way they replied was so polite and even very convincing. Even asking about salary, schedules and all that. It really makes my blood boil,” wrote user najiehamzln.
Others shared suggestions on how to avoid similar scams in future, including verifying phone numbers and using additional security checks before making payments.
“Transfer one cent to the account reference and write ‘scammer’, I think words like that might trigger the bank system or raise flags,” suggested user vibewithfarah_.
Another user, radhatulatikahrahin, advised parents to use caller ID apps to screen unknown numbers before engaging in transactions.
