Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Huzir Mohamed said the suspects, who were arrested in Penang on Aug 19, comprised 17 locals, two Chinese nationals and an Indian citizen.
“The suspects aged between 32 and 70, are agents, middlemen, sponsors and holders of fake identity cards, birth certificates and Malaysian passports.
“Police seized various items including 38 mobile phones, 34 passports, five copies of birth certificates, 58 copies of passports, and cash,” he said in a statement last night.
He said investigations revealed that the syndicate agents would hunt for foreigners seeking citizenship, with the process handled by an individual based at Penang JPN.
Huzir said the syndicate was believed to have received between RM100,000 and RM600,000 from foreigners. Investigations are ongoing to nab the remaining syndicate members.
All the suspects have been remanded for 28 days for investigations under Section 4(5) of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.