Muhamad Sade (centre) showing forged documents that were seized from the syndicate.
KOTA KINABALU: The Immigration Department has crippled a syndicate forging identification documents with the arrest of nine foreign immigrants early this month.
State Immigration Department director Datuk Dr Muhamad Sade Mohamad Amin said the nine suspects, comprising of six men and three women from the Philippines and age between 20 and 76, were detained in three separate raids in Kampung Likas, Kampung Air and Inanam, here between June 5 and 6.
“A special operation, dubbed Ops Serkap, was launched and managed to arrest nine suspects from the Philippines for their involvement in forging identification documents.
“As a result of the raids, we managed to confiscate various forged government official documents, including 90 temporary verification document letters, placement unit confirmation letters and temporary identification receipts from the Sabah Chief Minister’s Department,” he told a press conference here on Wednesday.
“The raiding team also seized 22 forged MyKads and forged birth certificates, and 13 pieces of IMM5 entry permit pass and IMM13 visitor pass,” said Muhamad Sade, adding that 140 passport-size photographs were also seized in the raids.
Investigation revealed that among those arrested was the mastermind.
“Most of the suspects are related and each played an important role such as forging documents, information gathering and middleman.
“Investigation also revealed that the syndicate will charge forged documents for between RM150 to RM500 depending on the type of forged documents and quality of the identification documents.
“We believe the syndicate has forged and distributed up to 200 to 300 forged government identification documents,” said Muhamad Sade.
Investigations are still being carried out and the cases are being investigated under Section 55D of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Amendment 2002) which carries a fine of up to RM30,000, a jail term of up to 10 years and six strokes of the cane.