PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department has busted a one-man document forgery operation which had been operating since 2016.

       Immigration director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud (pic) said the 38-year-old Myanmar national had amassed more than RM600,000 from duplicating passports and work visas and had lived lavishly.

       “The subject is an expert at producing fake passports, immigration i-cards, UNHCR documents and even marriage certificates,” said Khairul Dzaimee.

       He added that the man's customers are mostly Myanmar and Bangladesh nationals and are charged between RM300 to RM1,000 for a PLKS (work permit pass) sticker depending on its quality.

       “He also charges RM500 to forge an international passport and also RM200 to issue immigration stamps. He earns about RM18,000 a month from his illegal business,” added Khairul Dzaimee.

       He added that the initial investigation found that the suspect had been operating alone from a luxury condominium in Bandar Tasik Selatan.

       “He uses WhatsApp, WeChat and Telegram to deal with clients,” said Khairul Dzaimee at a press conference on Monday (June 28).

       A team from the department’s Intelligence and Special Operations division managed to catch the man in action in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (June 26).

       The suspect was about to meet a client near the Kota Raya shopping centre in Jalan Tun Perak when he was apprehended.

       Khairul Dzaimee said the man is married to a Malaysian and is a legal holder of a spousal long-term visit pass, adding that the suspect is known among his circles as “Rockers” due to his long-haired appearance.

       He said the suspect is under a 14-day remand and is being investigated under Section 55(D) of the Immigration Act for forging documents.

       If sentenced, the man is entitled to five to 10 years imprisonment, a minimum RM30,000 fine and whipping of not more than six times.