KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Islamic Affairs and Religious Department (Jaheaik) has identified at least four international fake marriage syndicates with Thai links, used by Malaysians to tie the knot.
The groups led by locals, mostly former imams, have been active for many years including during the Movement Control Order (MCO) last year.
However, Jaheaik managed to curb their activities in its series of operations last month.
Its director Datuk Che Mohd Rahim Jusoh said the raids were carried out on Oct 28 in several locations state-wide.
He said the groups were identified as "Imam Wahab" based in Rantau Panjang; "Imam Kemuncup" in Machang; "Imam Muda" in Ketereh; and "Imam Lebai" in Kuala Krai.
During the operations, he said the department seized various marriage certificates and other documents used for the illegal marriages.
"The local groups were the agents for Thai syndicates. They had networks in several districts in Kelantan and have been active for many years.
"Those who sought their services were not only from Kelantan but also from other states. The jurunikah as well as the wali were fake and are not recognised by religious authorities," he told a Press conference at his office here today.
Rahim said the marriage groups provided the services to Malaysian couples at few locations in Kelantan.
"They claimed that they were the authorised imam and charged Malaysian couples between RM2,000 to RM3,000," he said.
He said the department believed many Malaysian couples have used the services of the illegal marriage syndicates but could not provide the figures at the moment.
"Jaheaik would like to urge Malaysian couples who have used the services of this syndicates to register their marriage with the department or any district religious office to ensure their marriage is legal," he added.