Latest news with #HajScam
Malay Mail
16-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Police arrest man in Haj scam involving elderly pilgrims forced to trek perilous routes and locked up in Saudi Arabia
SEREMBAN, June 16 — A 67-year-old man has been remanded for four days to assist in the probe into a Haj package scam involving elderly pilgrims who claimed they were confined and forced to walk through dangerous routes in Saudi Arabia. Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yusoff said the suspect was nabbed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday following several reports lodged against him here, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. He said preliminary investigations revealed that the victims from Mantin, aged between 30 and 60, suffered losses amounting to RM81,000. 'The victims comprised a husband and wife and their daughter. We suspect more victims may have been affected by this fraudulent scheme. 'We are still investigating to determine whether the scam was operated by an individual or through an agency,' he told reporters at the Seremban City Council Hall today. Ahmad Dzaffir also called on other victims of Haj scams to lodge police reports to aid the investigation. Yesterday, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said three police reports have been received from the victims' next of kin, namely two in Mantin and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor. Media reports earlier stated that 47 Malaysian pilgrims had allegedly fallen victim to a Haj scam by a local agent involving a well-known religious figure. According to one of the victim's daughters, her parents and aunt, who travelled to Saudi Arabia on May 9, were forced to trek through dangerous routes from Jeddah to Makkah without proper documents, food, or water, allegedly to avoid detection by Saudi authorities. The group also claimed they were locked in a dark, cramped room and told to pay an additional RM9,000 to retrieve their belongings, despite already having paid RM30,000 for the Haj package. — Bernama
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Yahoo
Johor govt pledges support after 47 Malaysian pilgrims fall for Haj scam
JOHOR BARU, June 15 — The Johor government today asked families of Malaysian pilgrims allegedly duped in a Haj travel scam to place full trust in the authorities as investigations continue. Johor Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the state is ready to help resolve the case as well as educate the public to be more cautious. 'We are saddened that such scams involving the Haj continue to happen. What's more distressing is that the victims reportedly include elderly pilgrims and those in poor health. 'I am closely following the case and pray for the safety of the affected pilgrims,' he said in a statement. He stressed that there are no shortcuts to fulfilling the Haj and advised Muslims to rely on the expertise and guidance of Tabung Haji as the official pilgrimage fund. Yesterday, local media reported that 47 Malaysians were allegedly scammed by a local Haj agent, believed to be a well-known religious figure. According to news reports, one victim's child said her parents and aunt departed for Saudi Arabia with the agent on May 9. Upon arrival in Jeddah, the pilgrims were allegedly forced to walk to Mecca through dangerous routes without documents, due to Saudi Arabia's strict enforcement against those without valid Haj visas.
Malay Mail
15-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Cops hunt purported Haj scam mastermind after 47 elderly Malaysian pilgrims allegedly forced to walk to Mecca
KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Police are in the process of identifying those responsible for an alleged Haj package scam involving a group of elderly pilgrims who claimed they were confined against their will and forced to walk through dangerous routes in Saudia Arabia. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code following three reports lodged by the victim's next of kin, two in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor. 'It is too early to confirm a cross-border fraud. We are gathering statements and evidence to determine whether the syndicate is operating with certain agents or not. 'We are waiting for the victims to return to record their statements and take further action,' he said in a statement today. Muhammed Hasbullah said the police will also work with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) to blacklist companies offering Haj packages without approval, stressing that they are committed to taking firm action against those involved in such scams to protect the people from becoming victims. At the same time, Muhammed Hasbullah expressed his appreciation for the media's cooperation in helping to disseminate information and raise public awareness that only individuals with an official Haj visa are to perform the pilgrimage. Yesterday, a media report cited that 47 Malaysian pilgrims had allegedly fallen victim to a Haj scam by a local agent involving a well-known religious figure. The daughter of one of the victims, who claimed that her parents and aunt, who left for Saudi Arabia with the agent on May 9, were forced to trek through dangerous routes from Jeddah to Mecca without proper documents, food, or water, allegedly to avoid detection by Saudi authorities. The group of pilgrims also claimed that they were locked in a dark, cramped room and were told to pay an additional RM9,000 to retrieve belongings they had left behind, despite already having paid RM30,000 for the Haj package. — Bernama
Malay Mail
15-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Police probe Haj scam after 47 elderly Malaysian pilgrims forced to walk to Mecca
KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Police are in the process of identifying those responsible for an alleged Haj package scam involving a group of elderly pilgrims who claimed they were confined against their will and forced to walk through dangerous routes in Saudia Arabia. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code following three reports lodged by the victim's next of kin, two in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor. 'It is too early to confirm a cross-border fraud. We are gathering statements and evidence to determine whether the syndicate is operating with certain agents or not. 'We are waiting for the victims to return to record their statements and take further action,' he said in a statement today. Muhammed Hasbullah said the police will also work with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) to blacklist companies offering Haj packages without approval, stressing that they are committed to taking firm action against those involved in such scams to protect the people from becoming victims. At the same time, Muhammed Hasbullah expressed his appreciation for the media's cooperation in helping to disseminate information and raise public awareness that only individuals with an official Haj visa are to perform the pilgrimage. Yesterday, a media report cited that 47 Malaysian pilgrims had allegedly fallen victim to a Haj scam by a local agent involving a well-known religious figure. The daughter of one of the victims, who claimed that her parents and aunt, who left for Saudi Arabia with the agent on May 9, were forced to trek through dangerous routes from Jeddah to Mecca without proper documents, food, or water, allegedly to avoid detection by Saudi authorities. The group of pilgrims also claimed that they were locked in a dark, cramped room and were told to pay an additional RM9,000 to retrieve belongings they had left behind, despite already having paid RM30,000 for the Haj package. — Bernama
Malay Mail
15-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Johor govt slams Haj scam after 47 Malaysian pilgrims allegedly forced to walk to Mecca
JOHOR BARU, June 15 — The Johor government has expressed disappointment over claims that Malaysian pilgrims were victims of a fraudulent Haj package, allegedly confined and forced to take a perilous journey on foot to Mecca without proper documentation. State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said he is closely monitoring the development of the case and praying for the safety of those affected. 'We are saddened that such Haj-related scams continue to occur. What is even more distressing is that the alleged victims are elderly individuals and those with health issues,' he said in a statement today. He urged the families of the victims to remain patient and place their full trust in the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation. The state government, he added, stands ready to assist the relevant authorities in resolving such issues and educate the public to be more cautious. Mohd Fared stressed that there are no shortcuts in performing Haj, and advised the public to rely on the expertise and advisory services of Tabung Haji. According to media reports yesterday, 47 Malaysian pilgrims allegedly fell victim to the scam, believed to be linked to a prominent religious figure. A daughter of one of the victims claimed her parents and aunt left for Saudi Arabia to perform the Haj with the said agent on May 9. However, upon arriving in Jeddah, they were allegedly forced to travel on foot via unsafe routes without valid Haj visas, fearing strict enforcement by Saudi authorities. — Bernama
