In a statement, the prisons department said it detected the scam after several complaints from victims who had received suspicious text messages via WhatsApp from various mobile phone numbers.

The department said members of the syndicate reportedly posed as prison officers using fake aliases such as Sergeant Haziq, Sergeant Akmal, Sergeant Nazri, Sergeant Zul, Sergeant Sani, Sergeant Zam, and other fabricated names to deceive family members or relatives of inmates.

The syndicate also used mule bank accounts to receive money from its victims.

“The public is urged to remain vigilant and not to be deceived by the syndicate’s tactics, which exploit the department’s name for personal gain,” the prisons department said.

The affected families have lodged police reports, and the department will cooperate with the police in their investigation, it added.

The department advised families and relatives not to transfer money to unknown individuals or bank accounts, to report suspicious messages at the nearest police station, and to notify the department for further action.

The department said it would not compromise on any negligence or procedural lapses in duty, adding that strict action would be taken against those responsible.