These foreigners are desperate to obtain fake stamps on their passports for entry and exit, or to renew their visit passes.

Selangor police chief Shazeli Kahar said that according to their investigation, the syndicate has been operating since the beginning of this year, using a legitimate shopfront as a cover to attract their “clients”, who are charged RM500 for each fake stamp.

He said the premises belong to the woman, who is reportedly the mother-in-law of a footballer.

Bernama quoted Shazeli as saying all five suspects, aged 39 to 47, are still being remanded to assist in the investigation.

“Police have sent the seized documents and fake stamps to the immigration department for further verification. We are also investigating the involvement of other parties in the immigration system,” he said.

Shazeli said the syndicate’s activities were uncovered as a result of intelligence from the Gombak police headquarters’ commercial crime investigation division.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.