Police Protect Muslims From Hajj Fraud

Dyfed-Powys Police is protecting Muslims from becoming victims of Hajj fraud. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Officers throughout the region are carrying out work in their local Muslim communities to make sure they know how to protect themselves from the dangers of Hajj fraud. They are also being encouraged to report to police if they have been affected by such crime. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The work is in support of the national campaign launched by The City of London Police, which is being run as part of the ongoing efforts to protect Muslims who will be booking trips to Mecca over the coming months to perform Hajj in the Autumn. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Detective Inspector Anthony Evans, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “Hajj fraud can destroy the dreams people have of making a once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca. Many victims will have saved for years to be able to afford to travel to Saudi Arabia and as a result will be absolutely devastated when they find out they have been conned by fraudsters. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“While there have been no reports of victims of Hajj fraud in Dyfed-Powys, we are keen to ensure our Muslim communities know how to stay safe from fraud and have the confidence to report to police if they do fall victim of such crime. Only by knowing the true scale and nature of the threat can we effectively target the fraudsters who are causing most harm to the Muslim community. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“All types of travel fraud are unacceptable, but Hajj related fraud is particularly distressing as this is often a once in a lifetime event for many pilgrims and they may never again be in position to fulfil what is an important religious duty for the pilgrim.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The best ways to protect yourself and loved ones from Hajj fraudsters is to: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Do your research – don’t book without carrying out some basic check on your travel agency/tour operator. Go online to see if other people have commented on their services and check the company is a member of ABTA.
• If you are booking a flight-based package make sure your travel company is ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.
• Get everything in writing and make sure your flight details accommodation and Hajj visa are valid.
• Do not pay the travel company by cash or by direct bank transfer into an individual’s account as if they turn out to be fraudulent it will be virtually impossible to get your money back.
• Report the crime to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk. All reports are reviewed by the City of London’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau and can be used to identify serial offenders and form the basis of police investigations by local forces.