Kuala lumpur: The Immigration Department (JIM) has dismantled a document forgery syndicate and uncovered illegal massage services in separate operations in Kuala Lumpur, arresting 24 foreign nationals and seizing cash and equipment linked to the illicit activities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in a special raid on Monday night in Taman Maluri, JIM detained 19 men, 16 from Bangladesh and three from Myanmar, all aged between 18 and 43, suspected of producing fake electronic Temporary Employment Visit Pass (e-PLKS) slips. The syndicate allegedly operated behind the cover of phone repair and convenience stores, charging RM100 per falsified slip tailored to passport holders lacking valid passes.

Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the forgery ring had likely been active for about a year. Among those arrested, two Bangladeshi men were overstayers, while most detainees had no valid travel documents. Authorities seized RM11,357 in cash, forged e-PLKS slips, passports, laptops, printers, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, and city hall business licenses during the operation. The suspects have been remanded at the Putrajaya Immigration Depot pending further investigation.

In a related crackdown yesterday in Sri Petaling, JIM arrested one Thai national and four Myanmar men for running illegal massage services targeting male customers. The operation seized RM3,101 in suspected proceeds, promotional materials, and QR codes for payment. The Thai national held a Social Visit Pass, while the Myanmar men were undocumented.

Zakaria said the illicit massage service operated covertly in unlicensed spa centres and charged RM109 per hour, having run for four months. Two local men have been served notices to assist with the investigations.