Housewife held for impersonating immigration officer to process work permits

Melaka's immigration director, Anirwan Fauzee Aini, announced the arrest of a housewife suspected of posing as a senior immigration officer to provide work permit processing services to foreigners. The woman, in her fifties, was apprehended at a cafe in Taman Malim Jaya yesterday around 6pm. Additional search operations led to the seizure of items believed to belong to the suspect at a condominium in Kota Laksamana.

These items included a black uniform, a forged identification card, insignia, badges, and clothing adorned with the immigration department's logo. During the arrest, the suspect was allegedly negotiating with a Chinese national who claimed to have paid RM6,000 for a work permit. According to Anirwan, the suspect offered to assist foreigners and employers in obtaining work permits and temporary employment passes without the need for in-person visits to an immigration office.

An initial investigation revealed that the suspect had been operating alone for a period of one to two years. She allegedly targeted employers or foreigners who were eager to obtain work permits. The mother of five had also posted pictures of herself wearing the department's uniform on social media in an attempt to convince potential clients of her legitimacy as an immigration officer.

The suspect has been taken into custody for four days to aid the ongoing investigation under Sections 56(1)(k) and 56(1)(l) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. The victims or clients of the suspect, as well as her husband, have been issued witness summonses to cooperate with the investigation.