Malaysia arrests 71 in crackdown on passport-forgery rings aiding foreign workers
The Immigration Department said it has detained 71 people across 17 operations since 2024 for producing fake passports used by foreign workers to pass medical checks.
Since 2024, Malaysia's Immigration Department has carried out 17 enforcement actions that resulted in the arrest of 71 individuals linked to passport-forgery networks. These groups modify passport photographs and personal details so foreign workers can use another person's identity to secure medical examination results required for renewing Temporary Employment Visit Passes. Officials emphasized that the discovery of falsified passports does not automatically prove they were used for illegal entry.
The crackdown was prompted by a viral Facebook post displaying a seemingly altered Pakistani passport, which sparked public concern about forged documents. The department released the arrest figures via its official Facebook page, noting that similar allegations had circulated earlier in April. The operation highlights ongoing efforts to combat document fraud tied to Malaysia's foreign labor sector.
Why it matters
It reveals how passport fraud is used to bypass health checks for foreign workers, prompting tighter enforcement.
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