Immigration Dept foils 11th document forging syndicate this year

 

The Immigration Department has dismantled its 11th document forgery syndicate for foreigners this year.

A foreigner operating solo from his home in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur was apprehended on July 13.

Immigration director-general Ruslin Jusoh (above) identified the individual and his operation as “Ayake”.

Ruslin said Ayake operated via WhatsApp groups for Bangladesh and Myanmar nationals and managed to generate an estimated annual income of RM360,000 over the last three years.

The mastermind of his own operation, Ayake’s clients were predominantly in the Klang Valley.

“The fees for the fake documentation ranged from RM1,000 for Myanmar passports, RM700 for a CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) card and RM200 each for a UNHCR card, a Malaysian Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS), a Myanmar marriage certificate and even a driver’s licence from that country.

“We discovered RM26,000 cash hidden in his Honda CRV and was himself bearing a counterfeit Myanmar passport.

“The team from the Immigration Special Operations and Intelligence section intercepted the suspect en route to Dataran Merdeka to distribute fake PLKS passes to his buyers.

Ruslin said the intelligence team moved in on the suspect on July 13 following a two-month surveillance operation.

“His solo operations posed challenges in detecting his illicit activities,” he added.

Ruslin also acknowledged that while the investigation into the seized equipment confiscated was at its early stages, they could not rule out the possibility of the suspect having accomplices.

“We will also take stern action against those who purchase these counterfeit documents,” Ruslin cautioned.

Altogether, the team confiscated - on his person and his home - a total of RM27,500, one PLKS sticker and 4 PLKS passes, eight fake Myanmar passports, two fake CIDB cards and one forged Myanmar driver’s licence.

Ayake, the suspect, is currently detained at the Putrajaya immigration depot and being investigated under Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act of 1959/63 and Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966. - Mkini