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The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Immigration Department have dismantled a syndicate accused of hacking the immigration system to issue fraudulent employment passes
According to Harian Metro, the joint operation led to the arrest of 12 individuals after the syndicate allegedly compromised the Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs), causing an estimated RM2.4 million in losses to the government.
The operation, codenamed 'Op Crack', found that the suspects had allegedly processed and approved Temporary Employment Visit Passes (PLKS) illegally.
Among those detained were two company directors, three foreign nationals, and seven civil servants comprising four Immigration officers, two Immigration IT specialists, and one police officer
MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said the suspects, aged in their 30s and 40s, were apprehended at MACC headquarters and the Penang Immigration office on 27 July.
The syndicate allegedly exploited a 2011 PLKS quota loophole, allowing it to bypass the required levy payments entirely.
The government suffered an estimated loss of RM2.4 million following the issuance of 1,306 fraudulent passes, according to Abd Halim
The arrests followed months of extensive intelligence gathering across the Klang Valley and Penang, which began in May.
The subsequent digital investigation was heavily bolstered by cross-agency collaboration involving CyberSecurity Malaysia, Telekom Malaysia, and the MACC's Technology Forensics Division.
Simultaneous raids were conducted at commercial premises and Immigration offices in Penang and Putrajaya.
The suspects are scheduled to appear at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court this morning for remand applications.
Authorities are currently investigating the security breach under Sections 17(a) and 16(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
