PUTRAJAYA: The National Registration Department (NRD) nabbed two women believed to be agents of an identity card (IC) forgery syndicate in Sandakan this morning.
"The two women, aged 25 and 48, seek out prospective customers, including foreigners who want fake Malaysian ICs, and charge RM6,000 for each document.
"The two were also found to be using fake ICs when they were caught at two different houses in the district during a special operation," said NRD director-general Mohd Yazid Ramli.
He said the duo was picked up after two weeks of investigation and close monitoring.
Further investigation at the two premises also uncovered fake documents such as birth certificates, photographs of anonymous individuals, and many copies of ICs which were forged.
"We also recovered fake driving licenses, as well as bank cards and account books," Yazid said.
The operation, which was held from 9.10pm to 1am, involved 12 officers from NRD Sabah, lead by Mohamad Yusri Hashim and six officers from Sandakan police headquarters.
Yazid said two laptops and a Perodua Myvi, believed to belong to one of the women for use in her illegal activities, were also seized.
"We also detained another 5 individuals (three men and two women) between the ages of 23 and 57, also living in both the houses, for using fake ICs believed to have been bought for RM6,000 each from the two women.
"All seven, including the two agents, admitted that they were foreigners from Bone, South Sulawesi, in Indonesia," he added.
The seven are being investigated under Regulation 25(1)(e) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007), which carries a penalty of a maximum three years’ jail, or a RM20,000 (maximum) fine, or both, he said.