Document forgery syndicate busted in Malaysia; 119 passports seized

Malaysian immigration authorities have dismantled a document forgery syndicate that specialized in altering passports for foreign workers attempting to undergo mandatory health screenings.

The syndicate's modus operandi involved modifying passports to enable individuals who had failed or were deemed ineligible for the Foreign Workers' Health Examination (FOMEMA) screening to pass the checks. The group charged between RM80 and RM130 for each doctored passport.

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The syndicate would forge passports that were amended or modified to allow them to be used during the health screening process.

In a special operation conducted in Taman Sri Kuching and Taman Bukit Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, immigration officers arrested 11 suspects. The main suspect, an Indonesian national believed to be the mastermind, was apprehended along with other Indonesian men and women involved in the operation. Initial checks revealed the mastermind held a Temporary Work Visit Pass for the construction sector, while other foreign nationals had overstayed their visas.

During the raids, authorities seized 119 suspected fake passports, including 85 Indonesian passports, seven Bangladeshi, 22 Myanmar, two each from Vietnam and India, and one from Nepal. A printer, mobile phones, and RM1,500 in cash were also confiscated. This marks the fifth time authorities have busted a syndicate using the same method, with operations believed to have started early this year. The suspects face charges under the Immigration Act 1959/63.

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The main suspect arrested was believed to have committed an offense under Section 12(1)(f) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and the other foreign nationals were detained for allegedly committing an offense under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.