Bukit Aman: Reduction in Mujamalah visas may see rise in fraudulent haj packages
By Zaf Seraj
KUALA LUMPUR: Federal police in Bukit Aman anticipate a surge in fraudulent Haj packages following the government's move to tighten the issuance of Mujamalah visas this season.
Commercial Crime Investigation Department Acting Director Datuk Muhammad Hasbullah Ali said his department had received one report related to the scam, resulting in a loss of RM71,000.
"This year, the government has reduced the issuance of Mujamalah visas for Malaysians to perform haj. The issuance of permits has subsequently become very strict.
"However, we believe that due to this situation, there will be attempts by scammers to offer packages to deceive victims.
"This haj season, a victim who wanted to perform the haj filed a report after being cheated," he told reporters here today.
Hasbullah said that although the number of victims was decreasing, the number of fraudulent offers for such haj packages was on the rise.
In 2023, a total of 11 cases of haj package fraud were recorded, with total losses reaching RM649,631.
"Although the number of cases decreased to only four in 2024, the losses were reported to have increased significantly to RM874,100," he said.
He said that starting in 2024, a special task force to address the issue of stranded haj pilgrims was established to coordinate investigations, manage documentation, and arrest individuals or company owners suspected of being involved in offering fake haj packages.
He said that this effort was carried out with the collaboration of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Lembaga Tabung Haji.
He advised the public to be careful with the offers by checking the registration status of the company or agent.
Source : bukit-aman-reduction-mujamalah-visas-may-see-rise-fraudulent-haj
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