19-06-2025
Ustaz used influence to dupe elderly pilgrims, say cops
Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department acting director Hasbullah Ali said 22 reports have been filed by family members of the victims. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : A man who allegedly duped 47 elderly Muslims into purchasing 'independent' haj packages had used his influence as an ustaz and owner of a madrasah to 'scam' the victims, police said today.
Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department acting director Hasbullah Ali said an investigation showed that the suspect, 59, directly received the payments for the packages through the madrasah's bank account.
The ustaz who was arrested with another 58-year-old man recently, had offered haj packages that did not involve local tour agencies, Harian Metro reported.
The ustaz was arrested at KLIA while the other man, who had served as a guide for the pilgrims, was arrested at the Nilai police headquarters.
'A total of 22 police reports have been filed by family members of the victims. Nine of the pilgrims have given their statements so far,' Hasbullah said.
It was reported that the 47 elderly victims had purchased the haj package before being forced to go through dangerous passages on foot, and without their passports, to get to Mecca.
