The Johor Immigration Department has detained an Indian national on suspicion of being the mastermind behind a syndicate that sold fake temporary employment visit pass to foreigners.

The 44-year-old suspect was picked up at a premises in Taman Sri Puteri, Skudai in Johor Baru early today.

Also detained were 42 Indian nationals and a Nepalese who were found at the premises, ready to fork out RM8,400 each to buy the fake visit passes from the mastermind.

Initial investigations revealed that the buyers were waiting for the fakes to be made before the purchase when a team of immigration enforcement personnel raided the premises about 2.30am.

The raid was carried out after a month-long surveillance.

6P Integrated Ops coordinating chief Masri Adul said initial investigations revealed the syndicate had been operating for almost a year.

'A simple modus operandi'

"We suspected that the premises was used as a transit for foreigners to obtain the fake passes for a fee of RM8,400 each.

"The modus operandi is simple. An agent will bring the foreigners from India, using social visit pass, and disembark at the KL International Airport .

"They head to Johor by bus at a time determined by the agent to avoid detection by the local authorities, and transit for a week to get the fake passes before they are sent to factories or premises needing foreign workers," Masri said.

Speaking at a news conference in the state immigration enforcement office in Setia Tropika in Johor Bharu, Masri said the raiding team seized 81 passports, stamp ink, computers, printers and a car which was used by the syndicate.

He said the suspects would be sent to the detention depot in Pekan Nanas for further action.

- Bernama