Malaysia detains Singaporean for forging passport stamp

A Singaporean has been arrested for allegedly forging Malaysian immigration stamps for clients trying to stay in the country illegally, the media reported on Saturday.

He was reported to be earning at least 120,000 Malaysian ringgit (about $27,000) a month with a unique method of forging the stamp on passports and other travel documents for clients coming to seek his service in Johor state, Channel News Asia reported.

Johor Immigration Enforcement Division head Masri Adul said the modus operandi of the man was however exposed when the department nabbed the suspect as he was driving into his house compound on Thursday.

According to him, the 66-year-old man who is married to a Malaysian, was believed to be active in the last two years and charged about 200 Malaysian ringgit ($46) each to process documents received from about 20 clients daily.

"The method of forging used by the suspect has not been used by any syndicates. He sticked an empty stamp on the passport and used a coconut leaf stick to improvise the entry or exit date."

"The process appeared tedious but the product looks like the original immigration stamp which comes with the date," he added.