KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA February 4, 2026 – The Malaysia Immigration Department (JIM), through its Enforcement Division, successfully dismantled an active syndicate involved in supplying foreign workers linked to foreign worker quota fraud known as “Badul” during Ops Serkap on 4 February 2026 at a shop premises in Jalan Desa Pandan, Kuala Lumpur.
Based on intelligence information, the operation team was deployed to the location and raided a premise located on the second floor of the shop building. A total of 9 individuals aged between 26 and 61 years were detained, comprising 8 Bangladeshi men and 1 Indonesian woman. In addition, 2 Witness Summonses were issued to local citizens working at the company to assist with the investigation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the company in question had abused the approved foreign worker quota granted specifically for its own use by selling, transferring, and distributing foreign workers to third parties without any approval from the authorities. Each transaction was charged between RM3,000 to RM8,000 per application, and the syndicate is believed to have earned profits of nearly RM1 million per year.
The syndicate’s modus operandi also included preparing fake leave letters for foreign workers as an excuse in case they were detained during enforcement operations, as well as arranging the release of arrested foreign workers by charging certain fees. The syndicate also acted as an intermediary in work pass and visa renewal processes for a fee, without official authorisation.
Further investigation found that this syndicate was actively supplying unauthorised foreign workers throughout Peninsular Malaysia, reflecting a systematic abuse of the country’s immigration system that not only exploits foreign workers but also threatens national security, public order, and sovereignty.
The search operation resulted in the seizure of:
– 22 Indonesian passports
– 20 Bangladeshi passports
– 5 Pakistani passports
– 1 Indian passport
– 497 foreign worker i-Kads
– 38 CIDB cards
– Cash amounting to RM13,000
– Various documents and equipment believed to be used for processing unauthorised foreign worker applications
All detained foreign nationals have been placed at the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for further investigation under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
The Malaysia Immigration Department emphasises that stern and uncompromising action will be taken against any party involved in harbouring, employing, or colluding with undocumented foreigners. The department remains committed to intensifying enforcement operations nationwide to ensure the continued protection of national security and sovereignty.
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