15 Bangladeshi Men ‘Kantoi’ Trying to Enter Malaysia Illegally by Posing as Cricket Athletes at KLIA

Fifteen Bangladeshi men came up with a rather cunning plan in trying to enter Malaysia illegally on Monday (17 March) but were ultimately found out by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS).

Get this, the group attempted to enter Malaysia via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) by posing as members of a cricket team and claiming that they’re competing in a cricket tournament taking place from 21 to 23 March 2025.

Fifteen Bangladeshi men attempt to illegally enter Malaysia by posing as a cricket team competing in a Malaysian tournament

In a statement, AKPS added that the fifteen men even arrived in KLIA wearing full cricket sports uniforms and presented the authorities with a letter allegedly issued by the Penang Cricket Association.

However, investigations by AKPS found that the letter was fake and that no cricket tournament was scheduled on the said dates. 

The group further raised suspicions after they tried to get a sponsor as a guarantor. As it turned out, the ‘guarantor’ who was present admitted to having no information about the cricket tournament and only attended as a company representative.

Hence, the group was detained during an inspection at the airport on Monday.

A decision was made for the group involved not-to-land (NTL)

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AKPS added,

“Further inspection found no solid evidence that the group was cricket athletes. They are likely part of a syndicate trying to disguise as cricketers to enter Malaysia for other purposes.”

Hence, the agency decided for the group not-to-land (NTL) and further action will be taken according to applicable immigration regulations.

AKPS also warned that strict action will be taken against any individual or syndicate who attempts to misuse sports visas for different purposes such as illegal work or human trafficking.

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So, what do you guys think about this case? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. 

Also read: KLIA Ranks Among The World’s Top 10 Best Airports with a Near-Perfect Score of 4.99 Out of 5