Man remanded over alleged Hajj scam involving elderly pilgrims forcing through dangerous route

A 67-YEAR-old man has been remanded for four days to assist in investigations into an alleged Hajj travel scam involving a family of three in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan.

Negeri Sembilan Police Chief, Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yusoff, said the suspect was detained at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang on Sunday following a police report lodged by the victims’ family at the Mantin Police Station.

“The victims are a husband, wife, and their daughter. We believe there may be more victims linked to this alleged scam,” he told reporters at the 103rd Anniversary Celebration of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) held at the Seremban City Council Hall on Monday.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. According to initial investigations, the family suffered a total financial loss of RM81,000, with each person reportedly paying RM27,000 for the Hajj package.

Ahmad Dzaffir added that police are working to determine whether the scam was orchestrated by an individual or a registered company.

“We urge anyone who may have fallen victim to this or similar fraudulent Hajj schemes to come forward and lodge a report to assist our investigations,” he said.

The police had received three reports related to the alleged scam, which involved a group of elderly Malaysian pilgrims who claimed they were confined and later forced to traverse hazardous terrain in Saudi Arabia to reach Mecca.

Acting Director of Bukit Aman’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali, confirmed that two of the reports were lodged in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor, by family members in Malaysia.

The scandal became known after reports emerged that 47 Malaysian senior citizens’ pilgrimage turned into an ordeal after being deceived by a local travel agent, believed to involve a prominent religious figure.

Upon arriving in Jeddah, the pilgrims—who reportedly lacked proper Hajj visas—claimed they were forced to make their way to Makkah on foot through unsafe routes, due to tight enforcement by Saudi authorities against unregistered pilgrims. - June 16, 2025