Malaysian immigration authorities dismantle a document falsification syndicate in Selayang and Desa Petaling, seizing passports and arresting three suspects.
PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) has busted another syndicate involved in falsifying data and documents linked to foreign workers through Ops Serkap, following continuous intelligence and monitoring in collaboration with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said raids at two residential premises in Selayang and Desa Petaling uncovered the syndicate’s tactics of manipulating the immigration system and undermining the integrity of foreign worker management.
“Initial investigations found the syndicate altered genuine documents issued by JIM, such as ePASS, and used fake stickers to mislead authorities,” he said in a statement today.
He said the syndicate also prepared documents such as marriage registration papers and medical reports to support applications involving JIM and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
“The syndicate is believed to have operated in an organised manner for nearly two years to facilitate the illegal entry and stay of foreign nationals in the country,” he said.
Zakaria said items seized included 11 passports of various countries, 15 i-Cards, five digital devices, five mobile phones and a printer.
He said three Sri Lankan nationals aged between 35 and 45, comprising two men and a woman, were detained to assist in investigations. A witness summons (Form 29) was also issued.
All detainees have been placed at an Immigration Depot for further investigation under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).
