'Fly' syndicate: Suspect names Tok Ayah, DK during probe, says source

'Fly' syndicate: Suspect names Tok Ayah, DK during probe, says source

B Nantha Kumar
Published: Dec 20, 2024 5:21 PM


Summary

• The names "Tok Ayah" and "DK" have been revealed as key figures in the MACC investigation into the "fly" syndicate. Tok Ayah is a senior officer in a government agency, and DK is a businessperson from Johor.

• The "fly" syndicate is involved in falsifying immigration exit and entry stamps, allowing overstaying foreign nationals to extend their stay or remove their names from blacklists, in exchange for bribes paid to immigration officers.

• The MACC has arrested four individuals, including three Immigration Department officers and an agent, in connection with the syndicate.

The names “Tok Ayah” and “DK” have been identified as key masterminds in the MACC investigation into the “fly” syndicate involving RM1.2 million in bribes, according to a MACC source.

Speaking to Malaysiakini on condition of anonymity, the source revealed that one of the detainees disclosed the names during the investigation.

“During questioning, the suspect named these two individuals. They claimed to have received instructions from Tok Ayah and DK.

“According to the suspect, Tok Ayah is their superior officer, while DK is an influential individual. Therefore, they felt they had no choice,” the source with knowledge of the case told Malaysiakini.

DK is reportedly a local businessperson from Johor, while “Tok Ayah” is a senior officer in a government agency.

Previously, Malaysiakini had reported allegations that DK and Tok Ayah were masterminds who remain at large.

Falsifying stamps

On Dec 4, the MACC detained four individuals, including three officers from the Immigration Department and an agent, in connection with the “fly” syndicate.

The scheme involves falsifying immigration’s exit and entry stamps for foreign workers without their physical presence.

The department officers were accused of engaging in corruption and money laundering by collaborating with agents managing foreign workers’ permits to extend their stay.

According to another source, the four individuals have been remanded for four days starting Dec 5, and the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya is now investigating the case.

“The Johor MACC made the arrest, but the HQ (Putrajaya) has taken over the investigation,” the source said.

In addition to the “fly” syndicate, the individuals are also being investigated for their alleged involvement in a medical visa scam.

What is ‘fly’ syndicate?

The “fly” syndicate reportedly allows overstaying foreign nationals to extend their stay or “clean” their records from blacklists through falsified immigration stamps.

The source detailed the syndicate’s modus operandi:

“An agent would wait at a designated location. Then, a department officer would take an immigration stamp to meet the agent at the agreed place.

“They would stamp all the passports brought by the agent and, in return, receive money in an envelope. The officer would return and distribute their share of the payment.

“Overstaying foreign nationals would then have a new and valid entry stamp for 30 days. If detained, they would not be arrested as they possess a valid entry stamp,” the source from the Home Ministry told Malaysiakini.