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Don’t Be a Victim of Hajj Fraud Crime

Following on from our previous article reporting the latest crime statistics, the massive increase in online fraud highlights the need to raise awareness of Hajj fraud. Read on to find out more about what Hajj fraud is, how this crime is carried out and what you can do to avoid becoming a victim.

What is Hajj?

Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia which all adult Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetime. Every year around two million Muslims take part in the pilgrimage including around 25,000 British Muslims.

Hajj is a sacred event that forms one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims believe that the pilgrimage, if performed properly, will eradicate previous sins for sincere believers.

When pilgrims are around 6 miles (10 km) from Mecca they enter a state of holiness and purity known as Ihram. Ihram is a state of purification achieved by completing cleansing rituals (Ghusl) before dressing in ceremonial clothing and abstaining from certain actions, including shaving and cutting their hair and nails, until the pilgrimage is complete.

Umrah is another Isamic pilgrimage to Mecca which, unlike Hajj, can be performed at any time of year. It is sometimes considered the “lesser pilgrimage” as it isn’t considered to be compulsory. It can also be completed in a few hours while Hajj takes several days.

The main reasons for completing Hajj are:

• It reinforces the principles of tolerance and patience to Muslims.
• It serves to unite all Muslims
• It washes away the sins of Muslims
• It reminds all Muslims about the Day of Judgement when all of humanity will be judged by Allah.

When is Hajj 2022?

COVID related concerns in 2020 and 2021 severely restricted the annual Islamic pilgrimage. In 2021 the Saudi authorities restricted the number of pilgrims who live in the Kingdom to 60,000.

Current information for Hajj 2022 indicates that the event will run from the evening of Thursday the 7th of July up to the evening of Tuesday the 12th of July.

Hajj 2022 Vaccine Requirements?

In order to obtain an entry visa for Hajj and Umrah in 2022 the Saudi authorities have defined a number of vaccine requirements.

They provide details of the COVID-19 vaccines needed to meet their travel requirements which must be met by all who intend to embark on the pilgrimage. 

What is Hajj Fraud?

Sadly, in recent years a number of those planning trips to Mecca have fallen victim to Hajj fraud. Some have suffered significant financial losses including losing all of their life savings.

In the months preceding the Hajj pilgrimage, organised criminal gangs advertise fraudulent travel deals which are sometimes promoted by licensed travel organisations.

The UK police force tells us that:

• 25,000 British Muslims travel for Hajj each year
• British Muslims spend as much as £125 million on pilgrimages annually
• Police have reports of victims losing anything from £1000 - £33,000
• 42 is the average age of a Hajj fraud victim
• The Council Of British Hajjis estimates that the number of victims reporting to Action Fraud is as few as just 3%.

How is Hajj Fraud Carried Out?

People naturally want to find the best possible deal to enable their often once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage. Many victims will have saved for years to fund their pilgrimage to Mecca so finding they have fallen prey to fraudsters can be devastating.

Examples of Hajj fraud include:

• ‘Hajj Tours’ being sold, discounted by up to 50% off the normal price. Shortly before departure the tour operator closes, leaving unhappy people with no tour and no way of getting their money back.
• Paying for a Hajj tour package via bank transfer and then hearing no more about it.
• Booking a Hajj package online then arriving at the hotel to find nothing has been booked or paid for.

In one notable case a travel agent was arrested and £400,000 seized due to the sale of fraudulent Hajj travel packages. The agent was fined and banned from holding directorships for two years. He and his travel firm had been guilty of misleading customers by falsely claiming they held an ATOL licence, a legal requirement for firms selling package holidays.

In another widely reported case the EFCC (Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) has detained Alhaji Muneer Bankole, the managing director of Medview Airline, over alleged Hajj fraud. It is reported that the suspect diverted 50% the funds paid to him by the National Hajj Commission along with an additional $900,000 for the airlift of pilgrims in 2019, which he failed to carry out.

How to Protect Yourself Against Hajj Fraud

Actionfraud, police forces, ABTA and various consumer organisations provide some sound advice to help people avoid become fraud victims.

• Always book Hajj tours and packages through legitimate travel organisations that have great reputations (always check reviews).
• Don’t book without firstly having researched the travel company to confirm they are reputable. Go to www.hajinformation.com.
• Verify that the travel organisation you have chosen is a member of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents). 
• Make certain the travel agent or tour operator is accredited by the Saudi Arabian Embassy.
• Verify that the travel agent or tour operator is ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licence) protected. The law requires that all package holidays are protected.
• Make certain that all aspects of your booking are recorded in writing, including receipts for any payments made.
• Never pay for travel booking with either cash or by bank transfer. Legitimate organisations will offer debit or credit card payment facilities, which provide additional security.

What to do if You Have Been a Victim of Fraud

As noted, as few as 3% of Hajj fraud crimes are reported.

The most important thing to do if you have been a victim of fraud is to report it. While you may feel a bit embarrassed because you didn’t do all the checks you could have done, don’t be. The people who need to be embarrassed are the fraudsters and they can only be caught and their crimes prevented if people step up and report their experiences.

If you have any questions about any aspects of security or if you have any special requirements remember that we are here to help. Give us a call on 01273 475500 and we’ll provide you with free, expert advice.

This message was added on Thursday 17th February 2022