Syndicate issuing forged work permits crippled

Police have crippled a syndicate issuing forged work permits to foreign workers in Sitiawan, Manjung, with the arrest of 20 people.

Perak commercial crime chief Supt Maszely Minhad said they had arrested 20 people, including two masterminds behind the syndicate between 1.30am and 4.45am last Friday.

“We received a tip-off about 10 days ago and conducted our investigations on the matter.

“We first arrested three men, two foreigners and a local, and found a box containing 60 passports issued in Myanmar, Pakistan and India,” he told a press conference yesterday.

“After our initial investigations, we arrested 15 foreigners from two houses in Sitiawan.”

Supt Maszely said one of the two masterminds was a foreigner, in his 30s, while his partner-in-crime was a 46-year-old man from Sitiawan.

“We have seized various items from the syndicate, including passports, laptops and scanners.

“They are also forging skill certificates (sijil kemahiran) for the foreign workers so they can be employed,” he said, adding that most of the workers were employed in the construction industry.

Supt Maszely said the syndicate was providing lodging for the workers and would transport them to the respective workplace and back.

“The foreign workers are required to pay monthly commission to the syndicate. We believe the foreign workers were also victims here as they thought the syndicate can provide them with the valid working permits,” he said, adding that the case would be investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

Supt Maszely said all employers who have hired the workers from the syndicate should come forward to the police to facilitate investigations.

“We also urge companies to be careful when employing these illegal foreign workers,” he said.