Immigration Department cracks down on forgery syndicate in Ops Serkap, nine detained

PUTRAJAYA, April 15 — The Immigration Department has dismantled a document forgery syndicate linked to foreign workers, with nine individuals arrested in a special operation dubbed “Ops Serkap” carried out on April 13 and 14.

Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the raids were conducted at six locations following six months of intelligence gathering.

He said the syndicate is believed to have generated about RM100 million since it began operating in 2019, according to preliminary findings presented at a press conference today.

“The operation team uncovered various immigration documents, including e-passes and security stickers, that had been tampered with and used by companies to mislead authorities,” he said.

Authorities also seized 111 passports of multiple nationalities, 10 laptops, six mobile phones, and RM3,950 in cash.

The nine suspects, aged between 26 and 61, include three Nepalese men, three Indian men, one Bangladeshi man, one Malaysian man, and a Vietnamese woman holding permanent resident status.

Zakaria said that based on intelligence, officers later intercepted a Nissan Sentra at around 12.30am yesterday near Jalan Galloway in Kuala Lumpur, where the main suspect was believed to be trying to escape. The 43-year-old Nepalese man, who has prior records, was detained at the scene.

He added that although the suspect holds a valid expatriate pass and is legally in Malaysia, investigations suggest each forged documentation process was charged between RM5,000 and RM6,000.

Checks with the Companies Commission of Malaysia and the Inland Revenue Board are ongoing to determine the syndicate’s structure and profits.

The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Immigration Regulations 1963, Passport Act 1966, and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA), among other laws.

Zakaria said the department is working closely with police to complete investigations and take firm action against all involved. — Bernama