PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department has dismantled a document forgery syndicate and uncovered illegal massage services in separate operations in Kuala Lumpur, arresting 24 foreign nationals and seizing cash and equipment linked to the illicit activities.
In a special raid on Monday night (Aug 11) in Taman Maluri, the department detained 19 men, 16 from Bangladesh and three from Myanmar, all aged 18 to 43, suspected of producing fake electronic Temporary Employment Visit Pass (e-PLKS) slips.
The syndicate allegedly operated under the cover of phone repair and convenience stores, charging RM100 per falsified slip tailored to passport holders who lacked valid passes.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the forgery ring had likely been active for about a year. Among those arrested, two Bangladeshi men were overstayers, while most detainees had no valid travel documents.
Authorities seized RM11,357 in cash, forged e-PLKS slips, passports, laptops, printers, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and city hall business licenses during the operation. The suspects have been remanded at the Putrajaya Immigration Depot pending further investigation.
In a related crackdown on Tuesday in Sri Petaling, the department arrested one Thai national and four Myanmar men for running illegal massage services targeting male customers.
The operation seized RM3,101 in suspected proceeds, promotional materials and QR codes for payment. The Thai national held a Social Visit Pass, while the Myanmar men were undocumented.
Zakaria said the illicit massage service operated covertly in unlicensed spa centres and charged RM109 per hour, having run for four months.
Two local men have been served notices to assist with the investigations. – Bernama
