KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate specialising in fake passports was crippled following raids at several locations in the Klang Valley.
Three Bangladeshi men were detained in the operation codenamed Ops Serkap on Sept 30 by the Immigration department.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the raids, which began at 6pm, were carried out simultaneously in Kepong, Cheras, Pudu and Puchong involving the department’s Special Tactical Unit (Pastak) and 20 officers from the Intelligence and Special Operations Division.
"Intelligence work spanning nearly three months led to the success of the operation, uncovering a syndicate that had allegedly been operating for over a year, producing fake passports for fraudulent medical check-ups required to obtain temporary work permits for foreign workers.
"A total of six individuals — three locals and three foreigners — were checked during the raids.
"We detained three Bangladeshi men aged between 21 and 40, while two local women and one local man were issued witness summonses to assist in investigations," he said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 2).
He said 30 fake passports were seized - 24 Bangladeshi, five Indonesian and one Myanmar passport - along with 14 Fomema medical forms.
"A laptop, two printers and various tools believed to be used for forging documents were confiscated," he added.
Zakaria said investigations revealed that the syndicate’s modus operandi involved syndicate leaders sending workers’ details and passport photos to members tasked with producing the forged documents.
"The fake passports would then be used at designated clinics listed in Fomema forms to bypass mandatory health screenings.
"To evade detection, the syndicate relied on food delivery services such as Lalamove and Grab to transport the forged passports.
"The items were packed in polystyrene boxes and labelled with the call sign “Makanan Bangla”.
"The syndicate charges between RM350 and RM450 per worker for their services.
"Stern action will continue against individuals and syndicates committing offences under the relevant immigration laws as well as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom)," he said.
