'Flying passport' syndicate busted, three held in Johor
Immigration and MACC arrest three people aged 33 to 41 as Op Crack investigations uncover fake movement records in the department's system.
Three individuals aged between 33 and 41 have been arrested in Johor over a "flying passport" syndicate that created false movement records in the Immigration Department's system.
Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said the arrests followed developments in Op Crack, an operation carried out jointly with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
He said the syndicate collected foreigners' passports before copies of the documents' front pages were sent to agents via WhatsApp to be scanned. The process generated fake movement records in the department's system without the passport holders being present at the country's entry points.
"Agents charged RM700 for each foreign passport that used this syndicate's services," he said in a statement.
"All were detained for suspected offences under Section 12(1)(h) of the Passports Act 1966 and were taken to the immigration office for further action."
Zakaria said items seized included an immigration security stamp, RM20,000 in cash and jewellery.
He added that the Immigration Department would continue investigations to identify the full network behind the syndicate and take firm action against any party involved in the activity.
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