According to a source, the seven, aged between 30 and 39, comprised four employees of a printing company and three individuals.

“There was a major operation in Kuala Lumpur and MACC seized 2,500 revenue stamps, with RM250 and RM10 denominations. These are worth RM12.5 million.

“On the black market, the RM250 revenue stamps can be sold for between RM40 and RM60, while the RM10 revenue stamps can fetch RM5 to RM6,” the source said.

Revenue stamps can be bought at post offices and Inland Revenue Board branches. They are used as payment for stamp duty for any sale and purchase agreement.

The source said the syndicate also sold temporary work pass stickers (PLKS) which had security features for the Immigration Department’s use.

The stickers are issued by the Immigration Department, depending on the labour sector.

“Each PLKS sticker was sold to foreigners on the black market for RM700 to RM800. The actual fee for a PLKS sticker is between RM2,000 and RM3,000.”

The source said the syndicate would accept bribes to steal the revenue stamps and PLKS stickers from their company’s store and sell them on the black market through the individuals.

“The syndicate is believed to have been operating for the past three years, raking in millions of ringgit,” the source said.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests.

“Surveillance on the syndicate was carried out over six months with help from the Immigration Department,” he said.