Malaysia detains 2 Bangladeshis for 'cheating' workers

The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) has detained two Bangladeshi nationals for allegedly cheating the undocumented workers in the name of legalizing them there and forging different documents.

The duo in their 38 and 53s, whose names have not been disclosed, were held from Lebuh Ampang in Kuala Lumpur during a raid on June 15, the immigration dept said in a press release on Friday evening.

The press release said the detainees would take money and passport from the undocumented labourers luring them of recalibration (legalization) though the immigration dept did not assign any agent or vendor to do so.

The workers had, however, been asked to physically attend the office to be documented or legitimate, and advised not to be tricked by the brokers.  

During the drive, police seized copies of four Bangladeshi passports, four Bangladeshi travel documents from the suspected masterminds of the recalibration syndicate. The seized things are believed to be used in the recalibration programme, according to the press release.

The law enforcers also recovered dozens of online appointment slips (STOs) of immigration offices of the country's different states; PKP Movement Permit form for cross-state purposes; Bangladesh embassy documents; and eight bank cards. 

This syndical modus operandi is targeting Bangladeshis who have lived overtime or do not have documents in the country. The syndicate is also suspected to issue Bangladesh Travel Documents irregularly and deceive Bangladeshi citizens in the deal of the Recalibration Program of the Malaysian Immigration Department.

The sources concerned said the held Bangladeshi nationals were shown arrested under the country's immigration law and taken into police custody.

Based on preliminary information, syndicate charges between RM1100 to RM2600 for every Recalibration application. Whereas for application to get Travel Documents charged between RM1000 to RM1500. Based on the STO slip found this syndicate has allegedly managed more than 200 applications throughout the Recalibration Program underway.

These two Bangladeshi men arrested and investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Passport Act 1966. of the Malaysian Immigration Department has once again insisted that they have never appointed any agent to manage this Recalibration Program. People are advised to continue dealing with the Department and not trust third parties to manage the Recalibration Program.