Malaysia busts document and stamp forging syndicate

PUTRAJAYA (BERNAMA) - The Malaysian Immigration Department has busted a document and stamp forging syndicate allegedly masterminded by a Pakistani national.

During a raid on Monday night in Sri Gombak, several entry and exit stamps for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex, Singapore security stamp, stamps bearing the name of senior officers in the Malaysian Immigration Department, international passports, Temporary Employment Visit Passes, and the soft copy of a 'Special Pass' were seized.

The 26-year-old alleged mastermind nicknamed 'Abang Bai' and his three siblings, including a 13-year-old teenager, were detained to assist with the investigations.

Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said the syndicate had been active for the past 18 months with a regular clientele from the Klang Valley.

"The suspects were believed to have charged RM200 for customers who wished to obtain a 'Special Pass' valid for 30 days, and RM100 for immigration stamps from the country's main entry and exit points," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 20).

Mustafar said the suspected mastermind would usually meet regular customers at a designated locations and 'endorse' passports in a car or a toilet.

He added that initial investigations revealed the man purchased the immigration stamps for RM1,000 each from a local.

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