Terengganu Police Bust MyKad Forgery Syndicate

KUALA TERENGGANU, April 29 (Bernama) -- Terengganu police busted a MyKad forgery syndicate, masterminded by two men, in Besut on April 23.

Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairudin said the suspects, aged 35 and 39, were arrested in a raid on a house in Kampung Raja here at 10.05 pm.

He said police seized two laptops, two printers, 110 blank cards, mobile phones, a pendrive, portable WiFi devices and a laminating machine believed to have been used for forging MyKad during the raid.

“The raid was initially related to a drug case, but we stumbled upon the syndicate’s other activity when we found fake identity cards (MyKad) and various forgery equipment.

“We also seized various fake documents, including 12 MyKad, two driving licences, numerous paper slips containing names and identity card numbers, bank cards, RM500 in cash and 7.1 grammes of syabu pills,” he told a press conference at the Terengganu Police Headquarters here today.

Mohd Khairi said investigations found that all the fake MyKad seized bore the names and identification numbers of actual individuals, but the photographs had been altered and did not match official records from the National Registration Department (JPN).

He said investigations also found that the suspects used fake MyKad for financial fraud, including applying for bank loans online, with 12 loan applications approved for a total of RM40,000.

“This syndicate is believed to have been active for over a year. One of the suspects has a background in engineering and information technology (IT).

“Both suspects tested positive for drugs and have prior criminal records related to drug offences,” he added.

Mohd Khairi said the men have been remanded since April 24 and will be charged at the Besut Magistrate’s Court tomorrow under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Sections 420 and 468 of the Penal Code and the National Registration Act 1959.

-- BERNAMA