Abstract : The digital transformation has significantly altered the landscape of waqf management, introducing the concept of digital waqf through crowdfunding platforms as an essential innovation in advancing the socio-economic development of the Muslim community. This study critically examines the criminal modus operandi in digital waqf crowdfunding and evaluates the associated challenges within the framework of Shariah law in Malaysia. Employing a qualitative approach and document analysis, the study identifies several fraudulent techniques including emotional exploitation, visual manipulation, and the misuse of religious sentiment to solicit donations from unsuspecting donors. These issues are exacerbated by the absence of a national regulatory standard, limitations in inter-state enforcement, and the inadequacy of existing legal provisions, which currently prescribe only minimal penalties for related offences. The study further reveals that inconsistencies in legal administration between states, the lack of an integrated technological system for waqf governance, and the absence of a dedicated act governing digital waqf crowdfunding have created significant gaps in transparency and accountability, enabling widespread exploitation. Based on these findings, the study proposes several policy reforms, including the formulation of a unified national standard, the adoption of blockchain technology to permanently record and monitor waqf transactions, and the implementation of stricter legal enforcement tailored to the complexities of modern digital crimes.

Transformasi digital telah merubah landskap pengurusan wakaf, sekali gus memperkenalkan konsep wakaf digital melalui platform crowdfunding sebagai satu inovasi penting dalam pembangunan sosioekonomi umat Islam. Kajian ini meneliti secara kritikal modus jenayah dalam kutipan crowdfunding wakaf digital serta menilai cabaran perundangan syariah yang berkaitan di Malaysia. Melalui pendekatan kualitatif dan analisis dokumen, kajian ini mengenal pasti pelbagai modus operandi jenayah termasuk eksploitasi emosi, manipulasi visual, dan penyalahgunaan sentimen agama dalam meraih simpati penderma. Isu ini menjadi lebih kompleks dengan ketiadaan standard nasional, batasan penguatkuasaan rentas negeri, serta ketidakcukupan peruntukan undang-undang sedia ada yang hanya memperuntukkan hukuman ringan bagi kesalahan berkaitan. Kajian turut mendapati bahawa ketidakselarasan antara negeri, ketiadaan sistem teknologi pengurusan bersepadu, dan ketiadaan akta khas bagi crowdfunding wakaf digital telah mewujudkan jurang ketelusan dan akauntabiliti yang membolehkan ruang eksploitasi berlaku secara meluas. Berdasarkan dapatan tersebut, kajian ini mencadangkan beberapa pembaharuan dasar, termasuk penggubalan piawaian nasional, penerapan teknologi blockchain bagi merekod dan memantau transaksi wakaf secara telus, serta penguatkuasaan undang-undang yang lebih tegas dan relevan dengan kesalahan digital semasa.