The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) has dismantled a major human trafficking and document forgery syndicate believed to be led by a Nepalese national, following a recent enforcement operation.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the main suspect, identified as Mahendra Jung Shah, also known as MJ, 43, was arrested at around 12.30am on April 14 by a special operations team.
He said the suspect was detained after officers intercepted a Nissan Sentra along Jalan Galloway in Kuala Lumpur while he was allegedly attempting to flee.
“Checks revealed that the suspect, who holds a valid expatriate pass, is believed to be the mastermind behind the syndicate. He was also previously detained by Bukit Aman’s Counter Terrorism Division (E8) in 2016,” he said during a press conference.
Further investigations in collaboration with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) found that the syndicate is estimated to have generated profits of around RM100 million over the past seven years.
According to Zakaria, the group’s modus operandi involved facilitating the illegal entry of foreign workers before providing them with forged immigration documents and passes to enable them to work in Malaysia.
“Each worker was charged between RM5,000 and RM6,000,” he said.
Authorities also seized various altered immigration documents, including e-passes, security stickers and related slips believed to have been used for forgery purposes.
In addition, 111 passports from multiple countries, 10 laptops, six mobile phones and RM3,950 in cash were confiscated during the operation.
A total of nine individuals aged between 26 and 61 were arrested, comprising nationals from Nepal, India and Bangladesh, along with one local man and a Vietnamese woman who holds permanent resident status.
Zakaria said the Malaysian and Vietnamese suspects are believed to have acted as company owners and directors linked to the syndicate’s activities.
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 (AMLA).
