MELAKA: The Melaka Immigration Department (JIM) has arrested a housewife suspected of impersonating a senior immigration officer and offering services to process work pass applications for foreigners.
Melaka Immigration director Anirwan Fauzee Mohd Aini said the woman, in her 50s, was detained in a raid under Op Serkap at a cafe in Taman Malim Jaya here at about 6 pm yesterday.
Anirwan Fauzee said following the arrest, another raid was conducted at a condominium in Kota Laksamana, where various items believed to belong to the suspect were seized to assist in further investigations.
The items seized included a set of black uniform with accessories, a pair of senior immigration officer rank insignia, a pair of JIM collar badges, a JIM integrity badge, two grey headscarves, two black T-shirts bearing the JIM logo and a forged JIM identification card.
“When she was detained at the cafe, the suspect was dealing with a Chinese national who claimed to have paid about RM6,000 to obtain a work permit. So far, about three victims, including two Malaysians, are believed to have been duped by the suspect.
“The suspect offered services to apply for work passes for foreigners requiring work permits or temporary visit passes for employment, without the employer or foreigner concerned having to go to an Immigration office,” he said at a press conference here today.
He said preliminary investigations found that the suspect had been carrying out the impersonation and fraud activities for between one and two years, operating alone and approaching employers or foreigners who appeared desperate to obtain work permits.
He said the mother of five had also uploaded pictures of herself fully dressed in the department’s uniform on social media to convince employers that she was an officer of the department.
Anirwan Fauzee said the suspect was remanded for four days from today until Saturday to assist investigations under Sections 56(1)(k) and 56(1)(l) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“JIM Melaka has also issued witness summonses to the victims or clients of the suspect, as well as her husband, to assist in further investigations.
“In this regard, the public is advised to remain vigilant and not be easily deceived by individuals offering unofficial immigration services, but instead deal directly with the nearest JIM office,” he said.
