Foreigners Are Promising Marriage, Business Deals To Get Malaysian Women To Register Vehicles In Their Names

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Since 2025, more than 1,000 women in Kelantan have had vehicles registered in their names for use by foreigners, according to the Road Transport Department (JPJ)

The women targeted include single mothers, widows, the elderly, and other vulnerable women.

JPJ senior enforcement director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the department had identified the practice as a new tactic being used by foreigners to get around stricter enforcement, the New Straits Times reported.

According to Muhammad Kifli, some women were approached with promises of marriage or business opportunities.

They would then be persuaded to register a car or motorcycle in their own names, after which the foreigner would use the vehicle on public roads.

Muhammad Kifli said Malaysians whose names appear on the vehicle registrations could be left to deal with the consequences if something goes wrong.

Some of these vehicles have been used in criminal activities

JPJ has found that some of the vehicles involved, particularly older cars, were subsequently used in criminal activities.

Muhammad Kifli said these included cases involving human smuggling.

This means a woman who may have agreed to register a vehicle believing she was helping a prospective husband or business partner could potentially find her name connected to a vehicle used in a crime.

"If the vehicle is involved in an accident, the registered owner's name will be associated with it. If the vehicle is used for criminal activities, the owner could also become involved indirectly and suffer the consequences," Muhammad Kifli said.

JPJ said the practice is not confined to Kelantan, although the state has recorded more than 1,000 cases since 2025.

"This is happening throughout the country, but the number is particularly high in Kelantan, with more than 1,000 cases detected since 2025," he said.

Foreigners are also using Malaysians' names to buy motorcycles

Muhammad Kifli said the department had also detected foreigners, including Rohingya, using Malaysians' names to purchase and register motorcycles and other vehicles. He said stricter enforcement had made some Malaysian vehicle owners more reluctant to rent out their vehicles or allow foreigners to use them.

JPJ is now also looking at tougher action against foreigners who repeatedly commit offences.

"When we see the trend of offences involving foreigners increasing, we feel it is time to adopt a new approach. For foreigners who repeatedly commit offences, we will seek stronger action from the courts, including imprisonment," Muhammad Kifli said.

JPJ has since warned Kelantan women about marriage promises

Muhammad Kifli issued a specific warning to women in Kelantan, particularly those aged between 60 and 70, who are approached by foreigners in their 30s promising marriage.

He said that women who allow their names to be used for vehicle registrations could also find themselves connected to accidents or criminal investigations involving vehicles they do not actually use.

"Do not allow yourself to be manipulated by sweet promises. If the vehicle is later used for criminal activities, your name could be implicated, and this could bring harm to you," Muhammad Kifli said.