Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the syndicate had been operating since 2014 and made a profit of RM2 million from hiring foreign workers, including through the recalibration programme for undocumented migrants.

“The syndicate is suspected of fronting as an employment agent managing applications from foreign workers.

“They charged RM3,500 to RM4,200 for each application,” he said at a press conference.

He was arrested on June 8 with five others, including a local woman, who was the owner of a construction firm involved in the syndicate.

They are suspected of committing offences under the Passports Act 1966.

“The department will take affirmative action by deporting the foreigners to their country of origin and cancelling their (visitor) pass,” Khairul said.

He added that a total of 488 international passports were seized during the operation, 457 of which were Bangladeshi, eight Indonesian, eight Indian, eight Pakistani, six Myanmar and one Nepalese.