Reporting Hajj Fraud

HAJJ FRAUD FACTS

• 42 is the average age of a Hajj fraud victim

• Police have reports of victims losing anything from £1000 - £33,000

• The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK estimates that only 10% of Hajj fraud isreported

• 25,000 British Muslims travel for Hajj each year

• British Muslims spend as much as £125 million on pilgrimages annually

Source incl: CBHUK.org


CONTACT DETAILS

City of London Police

 

Telephone :

City of London Police Fraud Desk -
020 7601 6999
Action Fraud -
0300 123 2040



HAJJ FRAUD

While many Hajj travel operators provide a good service, there is an element which is disorganised, non-professional and in some cases fraudulent. In some cases, fraudulent tours are being sold at up to 50% of the normal price, but shortly before departure the tour operator closes, leaving people with no tour and no way of getting their money back.

Partners in the Muslim community and travel industry are working with the City of London Police and National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) to tackle this threat.

The Head of Economic Crime at the City of London Police, Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Head, said:

“Each year Hajj fraud is destroying the dreams of an untold number of people who believe they are about to make their own pilgrimage to Mecca. The NFIB is working together with the Muslim community to shine a light on the fraudsters who continue to cause so much pain.

“The more we know of this crime the more we can do to stop it, so I would urge anyone who has fallen victim to Hajj fraud to contact the police.”

Steps to avoid fraud

Hajj fraudsters do not discriminate against age, gender or location. In the months leading up to the Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj, organised crime groups are targeting licensed travel companies to advertise fraudulent deals to Saudi Arabia in their name. There are a number of things you can do to limit your chances of becoming a victim:

  • Make sure your travel agent/tour operator is ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) protected

    If the travel agency closes down while you are in Saudi Arabia you are guaranteed a flight home without having to pay any extra. If the agency closes down before you are due to travel, ATOL protection allows you to claim your money back. For further information on approved, ATOL registered agents, you can contact ATOL (0207 453 6700) or the Ministry of Hajj have listed approved tour operators.

  • Is your travel agent/tour operator accredited by the Saudi Embassy?

    Don’t book without researching your travel agency/tour operator. A recommendation from a friend or family member does not guarantee authenticity – a fraud may be ongoing for a while before the perpetrators dissipate the assets and disappear.

  • Get everything in writing

    Always get written terms and conditions as this details your contract with the travel agent or tour operator. Make sure your flight details, accommodation and Hajj visa are valid.

  • Pilgrims should keep their documentation

    Ensure all paperwork is kept safely together. This should include the contract, booking invoices, letters or other documents in a safe place in case you need them later. Never be afraid to ask. You are paying a lot of money and if there are documents that you feel you should have copies of or need more clarification on, ask your Tour Operator. If you feel information is being held back from you, ask until you are satisfied.  Lack of information can sometimes be a sign that all is not as it should be.

  • Check exactly what you are paying for

    When paying, consider carefully your method of payment. Establishing an auditable paper trail and keeping records of financial transactions will make it more difficult for you to be defrauded.

  • If things go wrong while on your trip

    Try to collect evidence, including photos, of any cause for complaint - either trading standards or if you've been a victim of Hajj fraud contact the Police (see below)

If you have been a victim of Hajj Fraud

Please don’t suffer in silence or feel embarrassed about coming forward - please visit the dedicated page by City of London Police - click here

or report directly via Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk

Asif Sadiq, who is the chairman of the Muslim Consultative Committee said:

“The Muslim community needs to ensure that all its members are aware of Hajj fraud and stress how important it is for them to support the police in any way that will help them bring these criminals to justice.”