Fake Document Syndicate Targeting Elderly Malaysians Seeking Foreign Spouses Busted
The Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) has successfully dismantled a document forgery syndicate that targeted elderly Malaysians looking to marry foreign nationals, following a special operation in the Putrajaya area last Thursday.
In a statement today, Immigration Director-General Zakaria Shaaban said five local men, aged between 30 and 66, were arrested in connection with the syndicate, which is believed to have been operating for over a year.
According to Zakaria, the syndicate charged between RM50 and RM500 per application, offering forged documents for immigration services such as applications under the category of “spouse of a Malaysian citizen”, as well as forged documents for National Registration Department (JPN) marriage applications between locals and foreigners.
“All suspects were detained under Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966 and taken to the Immigration Office in Putrajaya for further action,” he said.
Multiple Foreign Passports Seized
The raid led to the seizure of multiple foreign passports, including:
- 7 Bangladeshi passports
- 6 Chinese passports
- 3 Indonesian passports
- 2 Vietnamese passports
- 1 Myanmar passport
- 1 Macau passport
Authorities also confiscated 26 files containing JIM and JPN documents, a printing machine, a laptop, and RM3,070 in cash, believed to be proceeds from the syndicate’s operations.
Additionally, two vehicles — a Perodua Bezza and a Honda CR-V — believed to have been used by the syndicate were also seized.
The operation was carried out by officers from the Intelligence and Special Operations Division of the Immigration Headquarters in Putrajaya, following two weeks of surveillance and intelligence work, as well as public tip-offs.
The Immigration Department has urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to help curb the abuse of immigration and civil registry systems.