Syndicate exploiting senior citizens for sham marriages may be active in other states

New Straits Times

12-07-2025

KOTA BARU: The Immigration Department does not rule out the possibility that a syndicate exploiting senior citizens for marriage arrangements with foreigners may also be operating in other states, in addition to Putrajaya.
Director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the suspicion arose following arrests and seizures made during a special operation conducted in Putrajaya earlier this month.
He said the case is currently being handled by the department's Intelligence and Special Operations Division at its headquarters.
He added that state-level task forces have also been instructed to investigate the possibility of similar cases in their respective areas.
"That's just what we have detected so far in Putrajaya. We are monitoring the situation closely, and special teams at the state level have been set up to investigate any suspicious couples who have applied under the foreign spouse category," he told the New Straits Times.
The department recently busted a syndicate believed to be offering immigration-related services, including applications under the "foreign spouse of a Malaysian citizen" category and marriage registration services through the National Registration Department for unions between Malaysians and foreign nationals.
Zakaria said investigations on the recent case are still ongoing, but he believes the problem may extend beyond Putrajaya.
"I can't say which states are involved because I don't have that information.
"But I believe this is not just an isolated case limited to one or two locations.
"If there are members of the public with information, we welcome it. We will conduct a full investigation based on any leads provided," he said.
Zakaria said the syndicate appears to target elderly citizens who are often neglected or left without financial support by their families.
"In my view, many of these senior citizens are abandoned. They have children, but their children don't care for them.
"So when a foreigner suddenly shows up, willing to take care of them and offer financial support, even if the foreigner is significantly younger, the senior citizen agrees to marry," he said.
He explained that in many cases, the seniors are not required to do anything beyond agreeing to the marriage.
In return, he added that they are given monthly allowances in the thousands of ringgit.
"These foreigners only want to marry to obtain legal status. That's all. That's why we see these foreign nationals caring for these senior citizens as they need that legal status," he said.
With that legal status, Zakaria added, the foreigners can remain in the country for extended periods and can open various types of businesses.