A married duo in Shah Alam has been nabbed by Malaysian authorities for running an illegal domestic helper syndicate from their residence.

The raid led to the discovery of 13 migrant domestic workers aged between 22 and 47, all of whom had come to the country using social visit passes. These women were deployed as domestic workers through the unauthorised maid agency.

Each worker was forced to pay between RM3,500 and RM4,500, cut from their wages.

Immigration officials believe the couple had ties with an foreign recruiter, facilitating the movement of these workers under false pretenses. The maid agency had been running without a valid licence and breached Malaysian employment regulations.

They will be charged under **Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63**, which carries hefty fines for allowing undocumented migrants.

The case has also been submitted to the **Labour Department** for further action on operating an unlicensed employment service. Authorities warn the public to only use licensed **maid agencies** and **recruitment agencies** when hiring domestic workers.

The crackdown is part of a national initiative to combat illegal maid permit renewal agency operations in Malaysia.