Teachers in the Western Cape are being targeted by a sophisticated scam operating through WhatsApp. Fraudsters are impersonating officials from the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and school principals, offering fake job opportunities. The scam requests a payment of R2,800 from applicants. The WCED has emphatically stated that no payment is ever required for any teaching appointment. Victims are being urged to report these incidents immediately to both the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the WCED’s fraud hotline. The department is warning educators to be vigilant and verify any communication regarding job offers directly with the WCED.