2,000 Asnaf Used As Account Mules By Scam Syndicates - Zakat Selangor

KUALA LANGAT, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- The Lembaga Zakat Selangor (Zakat Selangor) has confirmed that around 2,000 asnaf (tithe recipients) in the state were exploited as money mules by scam syndicates preying on vulnerable individuals facing financial hardship.

Zakat Selangor chief executive officer Mohd Khaizir Shahari said internal checks and information from financial institutions showed some recipients were blacklisted, disrupting their monthly aid.

“They (asnaf) are vulnerable to manipulation because of financial hardship. Some even accepted RM100 a month in exchange for handing over their identity cards, opening bank accounts, and setting the ATM personal identification number for the syndicate.

“They often only realise when they try to collect their monthly aid, and the bank informs them that the payment was declined because their account has been blacklisted,” he told reporters here today.

He said this at the press conference following the launch of the Ramadan and Aidilfitri 1447H/2026 aid programme at KSL Convention Centre, which was also attended by Selangor deputy Mufti Datuk Dr Miszairi Sitiris.

He said Zakat Selangor detected failed aid transactions after banks flagged certain recipients’ accounts for involvement in financial fraud.

“When we checked with the banks, we found the accounts were blacklisted due to (fraud) cases. Many of our recipients hold mule accounts, and the syndicates saw them as an opportunity to profit.

“Therefore, Zakat Selangor has to consider alternative methods for any recipients’ accounts that cannot be accessed, to ensure aid is delivered promptly,” he said.

Mohd Khaizir said that being blacklisted does not bar recipients from receiving zakat, adding that alternative methods are needed to ensure aid continues to comply with banking rules.

He said Zakat Selangor will boost financial literacy, anti-scam campaigns, and alternative aid channels to protect recipients, while strengthening ties with banks and relevant agencies.

Earlier, Mohd Khaizir announced that Zakat Selangor will distribute aid to over 78,000 heads of asnaf households, totalling nearly RM36 million, starting on Feb 19, the first day of Ramadan, across the state.

Meanwhile, Mohd Khaizir said Zakat Selangor aims for a five per cent rise in zakat fitrah (personal tithe) this year, backed by improved digital systems and stronger networks of mosque and surau staff to ensure smooth payments.

“We are targeting around a five per cent increase, building on 2024’s collection of RM41 million and RM43 million in 2025,” he said.

He said Zakat Selangor is boosting field operations with 2,400 Penolong Amil Fitrah (assistant collectors) at 460 mosques and surau statewide during Ramadan to ensure smooth collections.

To boost collection efficiency, Mohd Khaizir said mobile apps are fully used in five districts, namely Kuala Selangor, Klang, Petaling, Hulu Langat, and Gombak, while others use a hybrid system.

Mohd Khaizir said all 19 Zakat Selangor branches will open daily, including public holidays during Ramadan, to handle higher turnout and expand service access.

-- BERNAMA