Malaysia busts MM2H sticker forgery scheme: three arrested over fake residence stickers

Malaysian authorities have dismantled a criminal group that forged Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) stickers and sold them to Chinese nationals. According to immigration officials, the fake documents were used to obtain US visas—the suspects allegedly tried to convince US embassy staff that the applicants were established long-term residents of Malaysia.

The arrests were announced on April 2 by Datuk Zahariah Shaaban, the Director-General of Immigration. During an operation conducted on April 1 in Kuala Lumpur, police detained three suspects—one man and two women aged 25 to 54. Authorities seized three Chinese passports bearing fake Social Visit Pass (Dependent) stickers linked to the MM2H programme.

Shaaban said the forged passes were intended to mislead visa officers and streamline the verification process when submitting applications at the US embassy.

Same network: arrests happened again

This is not the first incident. Previously, authorities uncovered a similar operation: on October 8, 2025, the same network was disrupted. At that time, six Chinese nationals and two Malaysians were detained, suspected of acting as intermediaries.

During the investigation, the Director-General noted that the group supplied fraudulent long-term immigration documents—priced at up to RM10,000 per set. These materials were used as supporting documents in applications for US visas.

Given that each forgery reportedly cost around US$2,530, even a small customer base likely generated significant profits despite legal risks. The fact that the activity resumed months after the first arrests suggests the scheme remained resilient.

Investigations will determine involvement under Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, and Immigration Regulations 1963. All detainees are held at Putrajaya Immigration Depot.

MM2H used as a “trust signal” for visas to third countries

The nature of the scam appears especially unusual. Authorities say the suspects did not attempt to secure illegal residence in Malaysia itself and did not try to bypass MM2H participation requirements.

The scheme’s core purpose was different: criminals leveraged the international reputation of the MM2H programme to gain an advantage in the US visa application process. Because MM2H is viewed as a verified programme with conditions that can be validated, the documents became a valuable “argument” during visa risk assessment.

An applicant who appears to have stable long-term status in Malaysia typically presents a different risk profile than someone without such ties. That distinction is where the group made its money.

For the programme itself, the reputational risk is heightened when demand remains high. In 2025, 3,172 applications to participate in MM2H were approved. The programme is estimated to have generated around RM3.875 billion (about US$983 million) through deposits, property purchases, and fees. Most participants come from China: as of August 2025, their share was 3,414 out of 5,972 participants.

Stronger checks are already underway

Malaysia had been tightening its due-diligence system even before the latest details of the arrests emerged. In November 2025, authorities introduced international background checks and intelligence-led screening for all applicants.

These steps were a response to previously identified fraud cases, including court proceedings involving immigration officers who falsified documents related to MM2H.

Now, new assessments are carried out during status renewals, and applicants must submit Letters of Good Conduct from law-enforcement authorities in their country of residence. However, based on available reports so far, it remains unclear whether the issues involved security features built into the MM2H stickers themselves, or whether the fraudsters exploited weaknesses at the document verification level.

If you’re considering investment-based residency and want to proceed legally and transparently, it’s crucial to understand how these programs work, what documents are truly required, and where fraud risks often appear. The MM2H sticker forgery case is a clear reminder that “grey” intermediaries can lead to denials and issues during official checks. At Digital Nomad, we help assess your situation and plan a compliant approach for your application: https://digital-nomad.gr/en/goldenvisa