Hajj fraud
About 25,000 pilgrims make their arrangements go to Saudi Arabia from the UK to perform the major pilgrimage (Hajj). Every year ABTA experiences numerous cases where pilgrims pay for travel appointments that are found as sub-standard, or in the wickedest conditions, fraud leaving victims out of pocket by an unbelievable amount.
Association of British Hujaj (Pilgrims) estimates currently only 10% of victims of Hajj frauds.
How to avoid the rip-offs
First of all, to protect pilgrims against fraud is to ensure the company as a member of a recognized trade association such as ABTA. The basic purpose of ABTA is to minimize the chance of fraudulent companies joining. It also suggests verifying a company's ABTA membership through its website.
Pilgrims should receive an ATOL Certificate as soon as they have paid any money to travel Agency. All UK traveling agencies have ATOL License to sell holidays packages including Hajj and December Umrah cheap packages. So, pilgrims must check its validity on the CAA website.
Pilgrims who are planning to travel to Hajj through online should avoid paying travel companies by direct bank transfer in which most legitimate companies have facilities with a bank to accept credit or debit cards. If pilgrims pay by bank transfer and the company moves to be fraudulent then it will be practically impossible to get money back.
What action should be taken against fraud?
It is a responsibility to every victim that he must report fraud so that the convicts can be stopped further and that other people don’t fall victim to the same rip-off. If you have been a victim of Hajj fraud then don’t remain silent or feel embarrassed about coming forward. You must report the fraud to Action Fraud on certain cells. Your all reports will be reviewed by the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau that will identify ongoing criminals on the basis of investigations by local forces. You must report the true scale and nature of the threat so that law enforcement effectively can target the fraudsters who are causing harmful to the Muslim community.
Rashid Mogradia, CEO of the Council of British Hajjis says that though the majority of Hajj traveling operators are delivering true services, yet there are some fraud operators who seek to blemish the character of the industry by seeking to defraud British Muslim pilgrims of their life savings. He added that pilgrims should book with reputable and licensed tour operators. We wish the communal to back the praiseworthy work of the City of London Police in tackling Hajj Fraud and report the fraudsters to Action Fraud so that they can be brought to justice.
Victims can report it to Action Fraud at action fraud website or speak to a specialist adviser on 0300 123 2040. They can also use the online tool if they suspect they have been targeted.
If someone paid for the holiday using his credit card, report the fraud to the card issuer.
If victims have any information on crime and they would prefer not to speak to police, so they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers namelessly on 0800 555 111.
