5 M'sians Arrested Over RM2.37 Million Hajj Scam That Left 380 Pilgrims Stranded
The suspects include a travel agency owner, an agent, and two employees. Among those arrested are two women, one of who is linked to several cases of alleged fraud involving pilgrimage packages.
By Sadho Ram — 10 Jul 2022, 05:33 PM
A total of five locals have been arrested to assist in the investigation into an alleged Hajj scam that duped about 380 would-be pilgrims
The suspects include a travel agency owner, an agent, and two employees. Among those arrested are two women, one of who is linked to several cases of alleged fraud involving pilgrimage packages.
The arrests amidst 57 police reports that have been lodged over the alleged Hajj scam, with the victims claiming losses amounting to more than RM2.37 million, Bernama reported yesterday, 9 July.
Of the 57 police reports, victims in Selangor lodged 25 reports with losses totalling RM620,000, 23 reports in Kuala Lumpur with losses of RM766,500, and four reports in Pahang with losses of RM874,000. Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, and Terengganu had one report each.
Victims in Penang reported losses totalling RM32,000, RM25,000 in Perak, RM16,000 in Negeri Sembilan, and RM38,000 in Terengganu while the complainant in Johor did not report any losses.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, a 29-year-old travel agent claims that he and other agents like him, who had used the travel agency in question, are also victims
The travel agent, identified as Nas, said that most of his counterparts who signed up their customers with the travel agency were duped by false promises and hopes, reported Free Malaysia Today.
According to Nas, the travel company used "big names" to gain the trust and sell the Hajj packages.
"We are just the travel agents for the groups of pilgrims who sign up for the Hajj package with us. The travel companies we deal with usually handle ticket management and visa applications. Those unfamiliar with the process might blame the travel agents but the reality is we too have been scammed," he claimed.
