Over the years, there have been many cases of Malaysians being reported missing, and some remain unfound, despite the efforts of their families and the authorities.
However, there are also numerous cases in which the ‘missing’ person turned out to be safe and sound, and their ‘disappearance’ was merely due to miscommunication. Meanwhile, others faked their disappearance as part of an elaborate hoax for selfish reasons.
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From the mundane to the ridiculous, here are some notable cases of Malaysians who were reported missing but never actually disappeared:
1. A 21-year-old man who was reported missing for a week was actually flipping burgers at a friend’s stall
On 24 October 2025, 21-year-old Muhamad Sah Julasili returned to his brother’s home in Bukit Beruntung, Selangor, after he was reported missing for a week.
Muhamad Sah returned home after he called his wife on 24 October, who was in Kunak, Sabah, and was told that his brother had lodged a police report over his disappearance.
Muhamad Sah
However, he never disappeared, as he actually stayed with his friend, Hafiz, at Batu 10, Jalan Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, the whole time. Throughout the period, he worked at Hafiz’s burger stall.
Muhamad Sah filed a police report at the Bukit Sentosa Police Station and clarified that his phone was damaged, hence he couldn’t update anyone about his whereabouts.
2. A TUDM serviceman who went missing for nearly 2 weeks was actually at his girlfriend’s condo
After being reported missing on 25 August 2025, a 27-year-old Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) serviceman was found some two weeks later, on 3 September.
The man, Muhammad Ammar, was supposed to report back on 25 August after attending a Vehicle Transport Supervisor Course at the TUDM’s Institute of Material Management Training (INSMAT) in Bandar Kinrara, Selangor, but never did.
Muhammad Ammar
As it turned out, the Senior Aircraftman had been staying at his girlfriend’s condominium in Ampang Jaya the whole time he ‘disappeared’.
When found, he told the police that he had gone into hiding out of fear after being involved in a hit-and-run incident with a military officer’s car.
3. A Malaysian influencer faked his disappearance and abandoned his wife’s car in a river in Johor
In July 2025, the disappearance of a Malaysian influencer shocked the nation after his wife’s car, which he was driving, was found submerged in a river in Muar, Johor.
The disappearance of Tengku Nizaruddin Bin Tengku Zainudin triggered a massive underwater search effort at the river by the authorities. However, it all turned out to be staged by the influencer, as he was actually abroad in Thailand the whole time.
Nizaruddin’s younger brother, Tengku Abd Aziz, had lodged a police report claiming his “elder brother” had gone missing while heading to Muar to “fix his car.” During the search and rescue operation, police noticed inconsistencies in Abd Aziz’s statement and suspected that the brothers had conspired to fake the disappearance.
It was later revealed that Nizaruddin had abandoned his wife’s car in the Tui River before fleeing to Thailand to remarry.
Tengku Nizaruddin (left)
4. Malaysian influencers faked a 22-year-old woman’s disappearance in Indonesia to boost content views
In February 2025, a 22-year-old Malaysian influencer was reported missing in a forest in Indonesia while filming paranormal content.
The influencer, Eyka, was part of a team of 7 content creators who went into the forest, and she was found in the forest approximately 3 days later.
Eyka
However, as it turned out, the group of Malaysian influencers actually faked her disappearance to boost views and increase followers, as confirmed by the Indonesian police.
The local authorities added that the group had since apologised for the matter and promised not to repeat the act.
The group of Malaysian influencers
5. A 14-year-old boy in Johor who went missing for 5 days was actually at a friend’s home playing the PlayStation 2
On 5 November 2024, a family in Kluang, Johor, lodged a police report about the disappearance of a 14-year-old boy. Some 5 days later, the case was resolved by the Kluang District Police, as the boy, Muhammad Syawal, was found safe and sound.
Furthermore, the police revealed that the boy didn’t actually go missing, but was only loitering and staying at his friend’s home in the same village to play games on the Sony PlayStation 2.
Muhammad Syawal
Furthermore, the boy had actually returned home to eat and shower throughout his ‘disappearance’, but his parents weren’t at home at that time.
According to Muhammad Syawal’s mother, the family had searched for the boy at the homes of his relatives, neighbours and friends, but to no avail.
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So, what do you guys think of the ‘missing’ cases above? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
