The raid on Monday night saw 16 Bangladeshi and three Myanmar nationals detained on suspicion of producing fake temporary employment visit pass (e-PLKS) slips, reported Bernama.

The syndicate is believed to have operated behind phone repair and convenience shops, charging RM100 for each fake slip to individuals without valid permits.

Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said the group had likely been active for about a year.

He said most of the detainees lacked valid travel documents, and two Bangladeshi nationals had overstayed their visas.

The department also seized fake e-PLKS slips, passports, laptops, printers, CCTV equipment, business licences, and RM11,357 in cash.

All the suspects are being held at the Putrajaya immigration depot for further investigation.

In a separate operation at Sri Petaling, immigration officers arrested five individuals, comprising one Thai national and four Myanmar men, for operating illegal massage services targeting male clients.

The group operated from unlicensed spa centres, charging RM109 an hour. The business had been running for about four months.

The officers seized promotional materials, QR codes for digital payments, and RM3,101 in suspected earnings.

Two Malaysian men have been issued notices to assist in the ongoing investigation.