PUTRAJAYA: A syndicate run by two Malaysian men has been offering short long-term social visit passes to China nationals here.
The syndicate charged between RM1,200 and RM15,000 for special passes and long-term passes respectively.
Quick action by the Immigration Department meant that the syndicate was active for only a month before their operations were crippled.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said they launched a series of raids at seven locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan.
"The raids were conducted by our Intelligence and Special Operations Division at Midvalley City, Cheras, Desa Pandan, Taman Midah, Sungai Besi, Sepang and Bandar Enstek about 10.30am on Aug 15 following two weeks of surveillance.
"We detained four local men and two women from China during the raids. They are believed to be members of the syndicate. Two of the men detained are the masterminds of the syndicate," he told reporters at the Immigration Department Intelligence and Special Operations Division office here today.
He said they also arrested a Filipina who was the maid of one of the masterminds as well as a woman from China who is believed to be the syndicate's client.
"All those detained are aged between 33 and 53. During the raids, we also seized 107 passports comprising 100 China passports, and one passport each from Thailand, the Republic of Vanuatu and the Commonwealth of Dominica as well as visitor pass application forms.
"We also seized RM57,260 and 29,660 Thai Baht as well as five vehicles including two BMW luxury cars, a Volkswagen and a Suzuki Swift," he said.
"The syndicate promoted their services offered via WeChat and social media platforms. They worked completely online and would use courier services to avoid detection," he said, adding that he did not rule out the possibility of the involvement his department personnel in the syndicate's activities.
He said that his department had never appointed third parties and agents to conduct such dealings.
"We will be conducting a thorough investigation into this syndicate and appropriate action will be taken if others, including Immigration Department personnel, are found to be involved.
"We have opened investigations under Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act," he said.