Fatima Muhammad

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — Some 300 expatriates, who hoped to perform Haj this year, have been trapped by an organizer of a fake domestic Haj tour operator here and were defrauded of their money.



Some of the victims Tuesday registered a cheating and fraud case against the organizer and the firm at Al-Aziziyah District police station.



Saleem, who registered with the firm to perform Haj two weeks ago, said he paid SR4,500 to the firm. “But as the Haj dates neared the man in charge of providing Haj facilities and also our contact suddenly disappeared and switched off their mobile phones,” he said.



Saleem, like all others caught in the man’s trap, had registered his name and paid cash to the man at his office in Sahafa Street here, and got receipts and assurances that they would be able to perform Haj this season.



Once a person in the group stumbled onto the fraud he alerted all and they contacted the police. The police, on their part, have assured them that their money will be returned.



According to another victim, who preferred to remain anonymous, the issue is that many of these people are from the low-income group and were asked to pay SR4,500 each to perform Haj.



“Everyone here is desperate and want to perform Haj before they leave, especially that many have their exit visa in hand,” he said.



People who registered with the fake operator are mainly Indians and Pakistanis with women constituting about 30 percent of the group. Some of them have come from different regions in the Kingdom.



The victims have also contacted the Ministry of Haj to help them preform their pilgrimage this year, but have not succeeded. A source also told Saudi Gazette that the suspect in this matter is an Indian.



The source added that the Indian Consulate General has taken up the issue with the authorities and promised effective action .



Jeddah Police spokesman First Lt. Nawaf Al-Bouq confirmed that they have registered the fraud case. Speaking to Saudi Gazette he said, “We have already closed the office and are now investigating the case.”



Meanwhile, Hatim Qadi, deputy minister of Haj for Haj Affairs and also the spokesperson of the ministry, said recently that the ministry in cooperation with police in Makkah region have busted 13 fake Haj missions.



He elaborated that there are only 205 authorized Haj operators this year. He added that they support low-income Haj program that can serve up to 17,000 pilgrims.