PETALING JAYA: A syndicate believed to have sold forged immigration stamps and endorsements to foreigners for profit has been busted following the arrest of several members.
In a statement on Tuesday (Nov 11), Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the arrests were made on Nov 10 here.
An Immigration Department team first tailed two local suspects after they arrived at the Southern Integrated Transport Terminal.
"The operation team then tailed the suspects and subsequently arrested them as they entered a housing area in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, which we suspected to be a hideout for several others.
"During the search, the team found eight Vietnamese passports and two suspected fake immigration security stamps. The syndicate is believed to have been operating for the past two years," he said.
He added the syndicate targeted nationals from Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand who wished to remain in the country past their term limit.
Investigations showed that they would charge between RM2,500 and RM3,000 for their services.
A total of seven people were arrested during the raid: four Malaysians and three Vietnam nationals, all aged between 20 and 35.
"The Department will continue to take firm action against any parties found committing offences and will combat any activities that violate the laws of this country to ensure that national stability and prosperity are preserved, in line with the aspirations of the Madani government," he said.
