Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said the authorities seized doctored immigration documents, passports from various countries, as well as 10 laptops, six mobile phones and RM3,950 in cash.

“Nine people aged between 26 and 61 were arrested, comprising Nepalis, Indians, Bangladeshis, a local man and a Vietnamese woman with permanent resident status,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian today.

Zakaria said the operation was conducted in cooperation with the police and Inland Revenue Board to look into syndicate fund flows and links with other criminal networks.

He said the local man and Vietnamese woman were believed to have acted as the owner and director of a company linked to the syndicate’s activities.

Zakaria said those arrested included the syndicate’s mastermind, a 43-year-old Nepali man with a valid expatriate pass and a criminal record.

He said preliminary investigations found that the syndicate had been operating for more than seven years, amassing over RM100 million in profits.

“The syndicate facilitated the entry of illegal foreign workers, preparing false documents and immigration passes to enable them to work in the country. Each worker was charged between RM5,000 and RM6,000,” he said.

The case is being investigated under immigration laws as well as the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.