Banten Police Arrest Two Suspects in Rp7.65 Billion Hajj Fraud
The Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of the Banten Regional Police has arrested two suspects for alleged fraud and embezzlement under the guise of organising a special mujamalah hajj pilgrimage, causing victims losses of up to Rp7.65 billion.
Head of Public Relations for the Banten Police, Commissioner Maruli Ahiles Hutapea, stated on Friday that the two suspects, identified by the initials NN (53) and NZ (31), have been detained at the Banten Police Detention Centre.
“This case began with a police report on 2 June 2026. The victim, AW, who owns a company in Serang Regency, was initially offered a VIP mujamalah special hajj package at a price of Rp320 million per person,” Maruli said.
The victim subsequently requested upgraded facilities, including hotel, consumption, and transport. After reaching an agreement, the victim planned to send 19 prospective pilgrims at a cost of Rp450 million per person.
According to Maruli, the victim then transferred funds in stages totalling Rp7.65 billion out of a total bill of Rp8.55 billion to the organiser.
However, by the scheduled departure date of 16 May 2026, none of the prospective pilgrims had been dispatched, with the reason given that the hajj visas had not yet been issued.
During the investigation, suspect NZ was found to have twice ignored summonses from investigators. After receiving information that the suspect was allegedly planning to flee abroad, police made the arrests.
“On 24 June 2026, suspect NZ was successfully arrested at an apartment in Tangerang City. At the same location, we also secured suspect NN,” Maruli said.
Maruli explained that NN played the role of offering the hajj package by claiming to own a travel agency, HKN, capable of dispatching pilgrims for the mujamalah hajj. Meanwhile, NZ provided a bank account to receive the payment funds from the victim.
Police seized a number of pieces of evidence, including proof of Bank BNI transfers worth billions of rupiah, two invoices valued at Rp4.05 billion and Rp3.6 billion respectively, a bundle of formal notices, company profile documents for PT Imtiyaz Global Wisata, and a list of the prospective pilgrims’ names.
The two suspects are charged under Article 492 and/or Article 486 of the Criminal Code based on Law Number 1 of 2023 in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 125 in conjunction with Article 118 of Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning the Organisation of Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimages.
“Both face a maximum prison sentence of 12 years or a maximum fine of Rp10 billion,” Maruli said.
The Banten Police have urged the public to be more cautious when selecting hajj travel organisers by ensuring the travel bureau holds an official licence from the government and not to be easily tempted by offers of rapid departure that ignore proper procedures.