KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: The two policemen arrested together with members of a 15-man syndicate earlier this week served as informers for them.

The syndicate had impersonated government enforcement officers. The duo, in their 20s, were attached to general duties at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters and provided the syndicate with information on their targets.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the duo also guided the syndicate in the production of fake authority cards and government documents.

"The two policemen were not involved in the syndicate's 'ground operation' but gave the members tips on how to convince their victims.

"Fortunately, we managed to smash the syndicate at the initial stage of its formation. It had been operating for several months and we believe it was in the process of hiring more members," he said.

Ismail said this after attending the completion of a probationary officers course at the Police Training College in Jalan Semarak here yesterday.

"From our investigations, we found that the syndicate's modus operandi was to approach victims, especially foreign workers, and inform them that the police and Immigration Department were conducting spot-checks.

"The syndicate members would then demand cash from the foreigners after threatening them with arrest," Ismail said.

The two policemen, both rank and file personnel, and four women were among the 15 arrested in special operations throughout the Klang Valley since June 24.

During the operations, police seized a set of police uniforms and other police paraphernalia - including two pairs of handcuffs and a walkie-talkie - from the syndicate members, aged between 20 and 58 years.

Also seized were forged police, army and Immigration authority cards, as well as equipment and several items used to produce the documents.