*Online Scam Rocks Medan Prison: Family of Prominent Figure Duped of Rp254 Million*
A recent online scam case involving inmates at Medan Class I Prison has sparked public outrage. The case gained attention after Rahmat Shah, the father of actress and Special Staff of the Minister, Raline Shah, fell victim to a scam worth Rp254 million orchestrated by a syndicate controlled from within the prison.
*Yakini Modus Cerdas*
The scam involved the perpetrators impersonating Raline Shah on WhatsApp, using a fake profile picture. The scammer convinced the victim to transfer money in stages under the pretext of purchasing gold. After becoming suspicious, Rahmat Shah reported the incident to the Cybercrime Directorate of the North Sumatra Police.
*Investigation Reveals Four Suspects*
The investigation uncovered four suspects, two of whom were active inmates—Muhammad Syarippudin Lubis (25) and Rizal (24)—serving sentences for narcotics-related offenses. The other two, Indri Permadani (20) and Tika Handayani (30), were civilians who acted as intermediaries outside the prison.
*Systemic Issues and Public Outcry*
This case has sparked widespread criticism of the prison oversight system. The Solidarity for Action and People (SUARA) Sumut condemned the incident, stating that it reflects systemic failures in prison management. “This is an extraordinary crime. How could inmates be facilitated with electronic devices to carry out structured scams from behind bars? We believe this is not an isolated case and is just the tip of the iceberg. The prison warden and correctional officers must be held accountable,” said the Chairman of SUARA Sumut.
*Protest and Demands for Accountability*
SUARA Sumut plans to hold a protest to express public concern over the weak security in prisons, particularly in Medan Class I Prison. “Our action is a response to the public’s growing unease about the frequent reports of poor prison security. The prison authorities always deny allegations, but this case has exposed the reality of weak oversight,” the chairman added.
*Call for Reform*
This incident serves as a wake-up call for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, particularly the Directorate General of Corrections, to strengthen digital oversight and internal discipline to prevent similar crimes in the future.
