THE Malaysian Prison Department has warned of a syndicate scamming families by pretending to be prison officers and soliciting money to provide ‘special meals’ for inmates.
The scam involves fraudsters using fake names like Sarjan Haziq, Sarjan Akmal, and Sarjan Nazri to deceive victims via WhatsApp messages.
They request funds for alleged meal purchases, using various mobile numbers and bank accounts to facilitate the transactions.
Several victims have lodged police reports, and authorities are investigating the matter, the department said in a statement.
“The Malaysian Prison Department will not compromise if any negligence or procedural lapses are found,” it said.
The department advised families of inmates to refrain from transferring money to unknown individuals and to report suspicious messages to the police or prison authorities.
“The public must remain vigilant against fraudsters exploiting the department’s name for personal gain.” - March 5, 2025