Doc-forging syndicate busted, two Africans nabbed

KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor has busted a syndicate allegedly led by Africans that specialized in forging documents, including passports. The operation, which took place on October 25, resulted in the arrest of two individuals believed to be the masterminds behind the syndicate.

The main mastermind, a 46-year-old Nigerian, was apprehended in Kajang, Selangor, following a two-week investigation. Another mastermind, a 56-year-old Ghanaian, was arrested at Jalan Kasturi in Kuala Lumpur. The enforcement team subsequently conducted a raid at the Nigerian suspect’s residence located at Jalan Chan Sow Lin, seizing 10 counterfeit Nigerian passports and a fake student passport sticker.

The Nigerian suspect admitted to obtaining the student identification documents (ID) from a Ghanaian accomplice. The Ghanaian suspect was found in possession of a counterfeit student ID card and upon further investigation of their residence in Cheras, the authorities discovered two additional fake student ID cards and six counterfeit immigration i-cards. The enforcement team also seized a fake United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) ID card and seven student ID cards from various universities and colleges in the Klang Valley.

According to Immigration director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh, the syndicate targeted Africans with identity document and visa issues in Malaysia, offering their services to produce fake passports, student passports, labour cards, i-cards, UNHCR cards, and counterfeit student IDs. The syndicate charged approximately RM1,000 for each fake passport and RM200 for other forged documents.

Both suspects have been detained at the Putrajaya Immigration Depot under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passports Act 1966, and the Immigration Regulations 1963, added Ruslin.