Foreigners target vulnerable Kelantan women to register vehicles, RTD warns

KOTA BARU: More than 1,000 single mothers, elderly women and widows in Kelantan have had their names used by foreigners to register vehicles since 2025, according to the Road Transport Department (RTD).

RTD senior enforcement director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the cases involved a new tactic in which foreigners manipulated vulnerable women by promising marriage or offering business opportunities.

He said the vehicles were then used by the foreigners on public roads, potentially exposing the registered owners to legal consequences if the vehicles were involved in accidents or criminal activities.

"This is a new tactic that we have detected and confirmed. Foreigners are targeting elderly women, single mothers, widows and other vulnerable groups by promising to marry them or offering business opportunities.

"They then impose a condition that a car or motorcycle must be registered under the woman's or another individual's name before the vehicle is used by the foreigner on the road," he said.

Kifli said the tactic was a serious concern as the women were being manipulated into allowing their identities to be used.

"This is happening throughout the country, but the number is particularly high in Kelantan, with more than 1,000 cases detected since 2025," he said.

He said some of the vehicles, particularly older ones, had also been found to have been used in criminal activities, including human smuggling.

Kifli warned vehicle owners against allowing their identities to be used to register vehicles for foreigners, as they could be implicated if the vehicles were involved in accidents or criminal activities.

"If the vehicle is involved in an accident, the registered owner's name will be associated with it.

"If the vehicle is used for criminal activities, the owner could also become involved indirectly and suffer the consequences," he said.

He said the RTD had also observed foreigners, including Rohingya, using Malaysians' names to purchase and register motorcycles and other vehicles.

Kifli said stricter enforcement had made vehicle owners more reluctant to rent out or allow their vehicles to be used by foreigners.

He said the RTD was also prepared to seek tougher court action against foreigners who repeatedly committed offences.

"When we see the trend of offences involving foreigners increasing, we feel it is time to adopt a new approach.

"For foreigners who repeatedly commit offences, we will seek stronger action from the courts, including imprisonment," he said.

Kifli also advised Kelantan women, particularly those aged between 60 and 70, to be wary of foreigners in their 30s who approached them with promises of marriage.

He said women should think carefully before allowing their names or identities to be used for vehicle registration.

"Do not allow yourself to be manipulated by sweet promises. If the vehicle is later used for criminal activities, your name could be implicated and this could bring harm to you," he said.