One Datuk and Datin couple in Selangor’s Shah Alam has been arrested by Immigration officers for running an illegal domestic helper syndicate from their home.

The bust led to the rescue of 13 undocumented maids aged between 22 and 47, all of whom had come to the country using tourist visas. These women were supplied as domestic workers through the underground recruitment agency.

Each worker was charged between RM3,500 and RM4,500, often taken from their wages.

The authorities believe the couple had ties with an overseas agent, facilitating the trafficking of these workers under false pretenses. The recruitment agency had been operating without a valid licence and breached Malaysian employment regulations.

They will be prosecuted under **Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63**, which carries legal consequences for employing undocumented migrants.

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

This incident is part of a broader enforcement effort to eliminate illegal recruitment agency operations in Malaysia.