Penang Immigration Busts Fake E-Pass Printing Ring In Simpang Ampat, Two Bangladeshis Arrested

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 13 – The Penang branch of the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) has dismantled a syndicate producing counterfeit immigration e-passes following the arrest of two Bangladeshi men during a night raid in Simpang Ampat on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

Penang JIM Director Syamsul Fitry Ahmad announced at a press conference at the department’s headquarters in Seberang Jaya on Friday, November 13, that the two suspects—aged 23 and 32—were detained during a 10:00 PM operation at a rented house after days of intelligence gathering and public complaints.

“During the inspection at the rented house occupied by the two Bangladeshi men, we found several forged or altered e-pass prints, including documents using the details of one of the suspects and documents belonging to other foreign nationals,” Syamsul Fitry said.

“The operation team also found several foreign passports that did not belong to the suspects, as well as a large number of modified e-pass prints that are believed to be ready for distribution to their buyers,” he added.

Modus Operandi and Pricing Structure

According to Syamsul Fitry, the counterfeit documents were tailored for the construction sector and targeted undocumented or overstaying nationals from Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The syndicate operated by digitally altering details on existing e-pass templates and passports using laptops before printing hard copies to deceive employers and enforcement personnel.

While the newly established syndicate charged between RM50 and RM100 per fake e-pass printout, authorities have not ruled out higher fees based on recovered payment transaction records, noting that legitimate annual e-pass renewals start at RM2,000 per year.

“So far, we have detected more than 50 documents that are believed to be forged, but the actual number is still under investigation because related documents were found at the scene and in the laptops and mobile phones of the two men,” he explained.

Seizures, Suspect Status, and Statutory Offences

During the raid, enforcement officers confiscated laptops, printers, and several mobile phones used to manufacture the counterfeit documents, alongside one car and two motorcycles believed to be utilized in syndicate operations.

Preliminary checks revealed that the 23-year-old suspect held a valid passport and construction-sector work permit, whereas his 32-year-old accomplice possessed no valid travel documents or permits to remain in Malaysia. Investigations are ongoing to determine links to wider forgery networks.

Syamsul Fitry noted that while the counterfeit printouts visually resemble genuine e-passes closely enough to fool laypersons and employers, immigration officers can immediately detect forgeries via QR code scans and cross-checks against the department’s central database.

Both suspects have been remanded for 14 days to assist investigations under Section 56(1)(l) and Section 52(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Section 12(1)(f) of the Passports Act 1966.

Enforcement Raid Summary, Seizures, and Statutory Charges

Key operational findings, confiscated items, and legal provisions include:

• Raid Location & Time: Rented house in Simpang Ampat, Penang, at 10:00 PM on Thursday, Nov 12, 2026.
• Suspects & Immigration Status: Two Bangladeshi men aged 23 (valid passport and construction work permit) and 32 (undocumented/no valid permit), both remanded for 14 days.
• Target Market & Pricing: Construction-sector workers from Bangladesh and Pakistan without valid passes; priced at RM50–RM100 per fake print (versus RM2,000/year starting cost for legitimate renewals).
• Confiscated Items: Over 50 suspected forged e-passes, third-party foreign passports, laptops, printers, mobile phones, one car, and two motorcycles.
• Investigated Offences: Section 56(1)(l) and Section 52(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and Section 12(1)(f) of the Passports Act 1966.

–NMT