Four arrested after company raided for faking whitelisting programme

PETALING JAYA: A company suspected of faking the whitelisting of foreign workers was raided by the Immigration Department in Seri Kembangan, which led to the arrest of four people.

The raid was preceded by investigations into the company, which used social media to attract customers.

They targeted employers and illegal workers alike with their "services" of whitelisting them for a fee.

"The department view the matter seriously as it is a cheating syndicate. The rehiring programme has ended in June 2018 and has not been resumed since," said director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud in a statement issued on Monday (May 27).

The raid in Seri Kembanagan on Monday saw the arrest of two directors of the company, as well as a marketing officer and a foreign worker suspected of misusing a work permit at the premises.
 
"The checks there showed signs of suspected cheating based on the 29 passports, receipts and adverts found there. All have been seized for follow up investigations.

"It is believed that the syndicate has operated since February 2019 and it has reaped massive profits.

"The department advises employment agencies involved in such activities to immediately stop or face strict action," he said. 

He added that the public are encouraged to make police reports should they be approached by any company or individual linked to any sort of illegal immigrant whitelisting programmes.

"Action will be taken to ensure that those who take advantage of employers or foreigners alike face the appropriate action according to the law," Khairul Dzaimee said.