Syndicate that hacked into Immigration Department’s database busted

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC), with the cooperation of the Immigration Department, crippled the biggest ever syndicate involved in the issuance of fake work permit pass stickers (PLKS) to foreign workers, costing the government hundreds of millions of ringgit in losses.

This came following the arrest of five people, including the head of the syndicate with a Datuk title, in a major swoop in 22 locations in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

All five suspects, aged between 33 and 43, were nabbed following surveillance by the anti-graft body and the Immigration Department over the past year.

Sources said the syndicate, with help from “insiders”, had hacked into the Immigration’s database by installing a transmitter to allow syndicate members to change the passwords of Immigration officers and print the PLKS from their operations centre outside the department office.

“The syndicate infringed on the government agency’s database and this is a very serious security breach.

“The ability of the syndicate’s members to hack into the Immigration Department’s computer system enabled them to print out the PLKS and sell them to illegal foreign workers in the country.

“Initial investigations revealed that hundreds of thousands of fake PLKS have been produced by the syndicate at a cost of RM6,000 to RM8,000 each.”

This issue was raised in an audit report, and leakages of government revenue and breaches in the nation’s security system were debated in Parliament.

“The syndicate can hack (the system) and change the passwords of Immigration officers before keying in details of illegal foreign workers into the system to make it look like they legally obtained the PLKS.

“What is even more scary is the fact that the syndicate can open and close the blacklist or red alert status of certain individuals to enable them to pass through Immigration checks at airports for a certain price.

“All this was done outside the Immigration Department’s office using transmitters and cloned systems from the government agency’s database.”

During yesterday’s raids, graft busters seized computer equipment, including two cloned computer systems and transmitters.

“The syndicate is believed to have operated out of a renowned hotel in Jalan Sultan Ismail.

“They moved from one place to another, including luxury hotels, to avoid being detected by the authorities,” the source said.

When contacted, MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests.

He said the case was being probed under Section 17 of the MACC Act 2009.

“We will investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure stern action is taken against all syndicate members and the insiders.

“We want to thank the Immigration director-general for his sternness and willingness to work with us to unveil the shortcomings that led to the crippling of the syndicate.”