Latest news with #MuhammedHasbullahAli
The Sun
15-06-2025
- The Sun
Police working to identify mastermind behind alleged haj package scam
KUALA LUMPUR: Police are in the process of identifying those responsible for an alleged haj package scam involving a group of elderly pilgrims who claimed they were confined against their will and forced to walk through dangerous routes in Saudia Arabia. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code following three reports lodged by the victim's next of kin, two in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor. 'It is too early to confirm a cross-border fraud. We are gathering statements and evidence to determine whether the syndicate is operating with certain agents or not. 'We are waiting for the victims to return to record their statements and take further action,' he said in a statement today. Muhammed Hasbullah said the police will also work with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) to blacklist companies offering haj packages without approval, stressing that they are committed to taking firm action against those involved in such scams to protect the people from becoming victims. At the same time, Muhammed Hasbullah expressed his appreciation for the media's cooperation in helping to disseminate information and raise public awareness that only individuals with an official haj visa are to perform the pilgrimage. Yesterday, a media report cited that 47 Malaysian pilgrims had allegedly fallen victim to a haj scam by a local agent involving a well-known religious figure. The daughter of one of the victims, who claimed that her parents and aunt, who left for Saudi Arabia with the agent on May 9, were forced to trek through dangerous routes from Jeddah to Makkah without proper documents, food, or water, allegedly to avoid detection by Saudi authorities. The group of pilgrims also claimed that they were locked in a dark, cramped room and were told to pay an additional RM9,000 to retrieve belongings they had left behind, despite already having paid RM30,000 for the haj package.
The Sun
15-06-2025
- The Sun
Police Probe Alleged Haj Scam Involving 47 Malaysian Pilgrims
KUALA LUMPUR: Police are in the process of identifying those responsible for an alleged haj package scam involving a group of elderly pilgrims who claimed they were confined against their will and forced to walk through dangerous routes in Saudia Arabia. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code following three reports lodged by the victim's next of kin, two in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor. 'It is too early to confirm a cross-border fraud. We are gathering statements and evidence to determine whether the syndicate is operating with certain agents or not. 'We are waiting for the victims to return to record their statements and take further action,' he said in a statement today. Muhammed Hasbullah said the police will also work with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) to blacklist companies offering haj packages without approval, stressing that they are committed to taking firm action against those involved in such scams to protect the people from becoming victims. At the same time, Muhammed Hasbullah expressed his appreciation for the media's cooperation in helping to disseminate information and raise public awareness that only individuals with an official haj visa are to perform the pilgrimage. Yesterday, a media report cited that 47 Malaysian pilgrims had allegedly fallen victim to a haj scam by a local agent involving a well-known religious figure. The daughter of one of the victims, who claimed that her parents and aunt, who left for Saudi Arabia with the agent on May 9, were forced to trek through dangerous routes from Jeddah to Makkah without proper documents, food, or water, allegedly to avoid detection by Saudi authorities. The group of pilgrims also claimed that they were locked in a dark, cramped room and were told to pay an additional RM9,000 to retrieve belongings they had left behind, despite already having paid RM30,000 for the haj package.
The Star
15-06-2025
- The Star
Police investigate mastermind behind alleged haj package scam
KUALA LUMPUR: Police are in the process of identifying those responsible for an alleged haj package scam involving a group of elderly pilgrims who claimed they were confined against their will and forced to walk through dangerous routes in Saudia Arabia. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code following three reports lodged by the victim's next of kin, two in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor. "It is too early to confirm a cross-border fraud. We are gathering statements and evidence to determine whether the syndicate is operating with certain agents or not. "We are waiting for the victims to return to record their statements and take further action," he said in a statement on Sunday (June 15). Muhammed Hasbullah said the police would also work with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, Lembaga Tabung Haji and the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry to blacklist companies offering haj packages without approval, stressing that they are committed to taking firm action against those involved in such scams to protect the people from becoming victims. At the same time, Muhammed Hasbullah expressed his appreciation for the media's cooperation in helping to disseminate information and raise public awareness that only individuals with an official haj visa are to perform the pilgrimage. On Saturday (June 14), a media report cited that 47 Malaysian pilgrims had allegedly fallen victim to a haj scam by a local agent involving a well-known religious figure. The daughter of one of the victims, who claimed that her parents and aunt, who left for Saudi Arabia with the agent on May 9, were forced to trek through dangerous routes from Jeddah to Makkah without proper documents, food, or water, allegedly to avoid detection by Saudi authorities. The group of pilgrims also claimed that they were locked in a dark, cramped room and were told to pay an additional RM9,000 to retrieve belongings they had left behind, despite already having paid RM30,000 for the haj package. – Bernama
Barnama
15-06-2025
- Barnama
Police Working To Identify Mastermind Behind Alleged Haj Package Scam
KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- Police are in the process of identifying those responsible for an alleged haj package scam involving a group of elderly pilgrims who claimed they were confined against their will and forced to walk through dangerous routes in Saudia Arabia. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code following three reports lodged by the victim's next of kin, two in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor. 'It is too early to confirm a cross-border fraud. We are gathering statements and evidence to determine whether the syndicate is operating with certain agents or not. 'We are waiting for the victims to return to record their statements and take further action,' he said in a statement today. Muhammed Hasbullah said the police will also work with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) to blacklist companies offering haj packages without approval, stressing that they are committed to taking firm action against those involved in such scams to protect the people from becoming victims. At the same time, Muhammed Hasbullah expressed his appreciation for the media's cooperation in helping to disseminate information and raise public awareness that only individuals with an official haj visa are to perform the pilgrimage. Yesterday, a media report cited that 47 Malaysian pilgrims had allegedly fallen victim to a haj scam by a local agent involving a well-known religious figure. The daughter of one of the victims, who claimed that her parents and aunt, who left for Saudi Arabia with the agent on May 9, were forced to trek through dangerous routes from Jeddah to Makkah without proper documents, food, or water, allegedly to avoid detection by Saudi authorities. The group of pilgrims also claimed that they were locked in a dark, cramped room and were told to pay an additional RM9,000 to retrieve belongings they had left behind, despite already having paid RM30,000 for the haj package.
New Straits Times
15-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Police receive 3 reports over alleged confinement of haj pilgrims
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have received three reports in connection with a fraudulent haj package involving a group of senior citizens who were allegedly confined and forced to traverse dangerous routes in Saudi Arabia. Federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said the reports were lodged by family members of the pilgrims who are still in Malaysia. He said two of the reports were made in Mantin, Negri Sembilan and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor. "The CCID is taking this matter seriously and the investigation covers various elements. At this point, it is still too early to confirm the presence of cross-border fraud. "Statements and evidence are being collected to determine whether a syndicate was working with specific agents," he said in a statement. Hasbullah added that police are still awaiting the return of the victims before recording their statements and taking further action. "In response to the three police reports, the CCID has opened an investigation paper under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, to facilitate evidence gathering and further investigation. "The probe is still at an early stage to identify any individuals or local agencies acting as facilitators or intermediaries in offering haj packages," he said. He added that the CCID will work with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, Lembaga Tabung Haji and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to blacklist companies offering unapproved packages. "This step is vital to protect the public from becoming victims of fraud," he said. He also advised the public to always verify offers with authorised agencies before accepting any haj-related promotions. "The CCID appreciates media cooperation in disseminating information to the public that only individuals with a haj visa are permitted by Saudi authorities to perform the pilgrimage. "We are committed to taking firm action against any party found to have deceived pilgrims," he said. It was reported that the journey of 47 senior citizens intending to perform the haj turned into a nightmare after being deceived by a local agent, allegedly involving a well-known religious figure. The pilgrims, misled by promises made to them, claimed they were forced to walk across dangerous routes without documentation to reach Makkah after arriving in Jeddah, due to the strict control by Saudi authorities over pilgrims without haj visas.
