Dubai Police arrest gang behind Hajj, Umrah visa scam
Listen to article
Dubai Police have arrested a gang that used social media to promote fraudulent Hajj and Umrah visa services, luring victims with low prices and easy payment options before disappearing with their money.
According to authorities, the scammers posed as authorised agents, promising swift visa approvals. They convinced individuals to transfer funds, only to block them and vanish once payments were made.
Police have urged residents to secure pilgrimage visas only through licensed UAE agencies and to be cautious of online ads offering unrealistically low prices.
'Fraudsters often exploit religious aspirations, particularly during peak pilgrimage seasons,' Dubai Police warned in a statement, reaffirming their commitment to tackling such scams.
Officials confirmed that the gang misled victims with false promises before disappearing. They have encouraged the public to report suspicious ads or activities through official channels, including the e-crime platform www.ecrime.ae, to help prevent further fraud.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Iran confirms meetings with cleric held in KSA
Listen to article Iran said Wednesday it has held consular meetings with a cleric detained during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to local media. Gholamreza Ghasemian, a well-known cleric and religious figure in Iran, was arrested in the kingdom on Monday after a video circulated online showing him criticising the Saudi government, Iran's ISNA news agency reported. Saudi authorities have not confirmed the arrest. In the footage, Ghasemian, dressed in white pilgrimage robes, accused Saudi leaders of turning the Qibla into "a place for gambling houses, centres of debauchery, and obscene concerts". Alireza Bayat, head of Iran's Hajj organisation, said Iranian officials had held three consular meetings with Ghasemian in coordination with the embassy and consulate in Jeddah, ISNA reported.
Express Tribune
27-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Saudi Arabia cracks down on Hajj permit violations in Makkah
The Ministry of Interior is continuing its efforts to prevent people without Hajj permits from entering or staying in Makkah and the holy sites. PHOTO: ARAB NEWS Listen to article Saudi authorities have arrested 22 individuals for attempting to transport unregistered pilgrims into Makkah, as part of intensified efforts to enforce Hajj regulations ahead of the annual pilgrimage, state media reported. According to the Saudi Press Agency, Hajj Security Forces detained six residents and 14 citizens at Makkah's entrances for transporting 99 people without valid Hajj permits. In a separate incident, two citizens were arrested for trying to bring 15 unregistered individuals into the holy city. The Ministry of Interior has reiterated its warning that violators and those facilitating unauthorized pilgrimages will face severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines of up to 100,000 Saudi riyals (approximately $26,600), public naming, and—for expatriates—deportation and a 10-year re-entry ban following sentencing. Vehicles used in illegal transport are also subject to confiscation, and individuals caught attempting Hajj without a permit may be fined up to 20,000 riyals. The ministry urged the public to comply with all Hajj regulations to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, reminding that entry into Makkah without a valid permit is prohibited between 29 April and 10 June.
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Heads must roll
Listen to article It is a pity and quite unfortunate that 63,907 intending Pakistani pilgrims will not be able to perform Hajj this year. The onus for this negligence now officially rests on 903 companies and their umbrella organisation, HOPE. They all must undergo retribution, have their licences revoked, and be heavily penalised for their sheer incompetence and unprofessionalism. No excuses must be entertained at any level, and none should go off the hook. The committee that has been formed by the federal government to investigate the mess must see to it that justice is done, and these operators and their associates are black-listed for all times to come. Likewise, armchair experts in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and especially those who worked hand in glove with private operators for this year must also be shown the door. The trajectory of carelessness is tantamount to a crime. The private sector quota wielders initially failed to understand the new policy regulations of the Saudi government and could not complete the Tawafa formalities within the deadline. But even after missing the deadline to what they called technical lacunae, they went on to hold the money deposited by the pilgrims. They then missed a new deadline to deposit 25 per cent of the amount required for the process to proceed. Last but not least, it seems the private operators were deliberately involved in a mug-up to shore up the big finances for their personal designs at the altar of poor pilgrims who stand duped today. This is no small upset for pilgrims as it is tantamount to playing with their sentiments, and their lifetime wish to take the holy journey. These stranded pilgrims include many expatriates who had travelled to Pakistan, and are now in a state of limbo. The Hajj modus operandi in Pakistan has long been mired in slur and suspicion, and there are instances when pilgrims were taken for a ride, cheated and denied their promised privileges. But this year, it has gone over the brink — something that must see heads rolled from top to bottom. The trust of the people has been shattered and is in need of being restored.
