Terengganu: Terengganu police busted a MyKad forgery syndicate, masterminded by two men, in Besut on April 23.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairudin said the suspects, aged 35 and 39, were arrested in a raid on a house in Kampung Raja here at 10.05 pm. He said police seized two laptops, two printers, 110 blank cards, mobile phones, a pendrive, portable WiFi devices, and a laminating machine believed to have been used for forging MyKad during the raid.

Mohd Khairi explained that the raid was initially related to a drug case, but authorities stumbled upon the syndicate's other activity when they found fake identity cards (MyKad) and various forgery equipment. Additionally, police seized various fake documents, including 12 MyKad, two driving licenses, numerous paper slips containing names and identity card numbers, bank cards, RM500 in cash, and 7.1 grammes of syabu pills.

Investigations revealed that all the fake MyKad seized bore the names and identification numbers of actual individuals, but the photographs had been altered and did not match official records from the National Registration Department (JPN). The suspects used fake MyKad for financial fraud, including applying for bank loans online, with 12 loan applications approved for a total of RM40,000.

The syndicate is believed to have been active for over a year, and one of the suspects has a background in engineering and information technology (IT). Both suspects tested positive for drugs and have prior criminal records related to drug offences.

Mohd Khairi stated that the men have been remanded since April 24 and will be charged at the Besut Magistrate's Court tomorrow under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Sections 420 and 468 of the Penal Code, and the National Registration Act 1959.