Malaysian Immigration Department has apprehended the mastermind of a passport syndicate, ‘Ophu Bhai’ (38), after an operation conducted in Kajang, Selangor state, on Friday (May 10) afternoon.
Confirming the arrest, Immigration Director-General Datuk Ruslin Jusoh stated, “The mastermind, known as ‘Ophu Bhai’, a Bangladeshi, was nabbed during the operation. Alongside, a Filipino woman (40) who worked with him was also apprehended. They did not possess valid documents during the operation and had been residing in the country beyond the permissible time.”
Preliminary investigations by the Immigration Department revealed that the syndicate altered passports of expatriates whose documents were about to expire, extending their validity. The syndicate charged a hefty fee of around RM12,000 per passport. These counterfeit passports were primarily utilized to obtain medical examination and monitoring agency (FOMEMA) clearance.
A total of 211 passports, including 199 Bangladeshi passports and passports from India, the Philippines, and Indonesia, were confiscated during the operation.
They have been remanded for 14 days. Additionally, an investigation under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act is underway concerning the forgery allegations.
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