Immigration busts syndicate smuggling in foreigners disguised as athletes

 

Immigration department director-general Zakaria Shaaban said to deceive the authorities, the syndicate brought in foreign nationals, mainly from Bangladesh, dressed in sports attire. (Immigration department pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The immigration department has busted a syndicate involved in smuggling in foreign nationals by disguising them as athletes.

Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said three Bangladeshi men were arrested in Taman Maluri, Kuala Lumpur on Thursday over their alleged involvement in the syndicate.

“Two of them held temporary visit passes (PLKS) while the third had overstayed his visa.

An additional 18 Bangladeshi men were detained at the same location, all aged between 21 and 33,

 he said in a statement.

Zakaria Shaaban.

Zakaria also said that 18 Bangladeshi passports were seized, along with RM990 in cash, as well as copies of invitation letters and schedules for sporting events within the country, believed to have been falsified.

Zakaria said to deceive the authorities, the syndicate would bring in foreign nationals, mainly from Bangladesh, dressed in sports attire.

They would also book return tickets to their home country and a one-night stay at a budget hotel in Kuala Lumpur prior to the supposed sporting event, he added.

The syndicate would charge (the foreigners) between RM2,000 and RM5,000 per person. It is believed to have been operating for four months.

Zakaria said all 21 detainees have been brought to the Lenggeng immigration depot in Negeri Sembilan.

The case is being investigated under Sections 6(3), 15(4), and 56(1)(l) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 as well as the Immigration Regulations 1963.

Two Malaysian men have also been issued notices to assist in the department’s investigations into the syndicate.

The department will continue to take strict action against any party found violating the Immigration Act and its regulations, Passport Act 1966, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007,

 Zakaria said. - FMT