Banten Police Uncover Special Hajj Fraud Scheme, Victims Lose Rp7.6 Billion

The Directorate of General Criminal Investigation of the Banten Regional Police has uncovered an alleged fraud and embezzlement case related to the organisation of a special hajj pilgrimage. Two suspects, identified by the initials NN (53) and NZ (31), have been arrested. The case came to light following a report filed by the victim with the Banten Police on 2 June. In the report, the victim, identified as AW, claimed to have been offered a special hajj package costing hundreds of millions of rupiah per person. Banten Police Head of Public Relations, Senior Commissioner Maruli Ahiles Hutapea, stated on Friday (26 June) that the case began when the victim, the owner of a company in Serang Regency, was offered a special ‘Mujamalah’ hajj package with VIP facilities at a cost of Rp320 million per person. The victim requested upgraded facilities, including hotel, food, and transport. After further communication, including discussions about the facility upgrades, the victim agreed to send 19 pilgrims at a cost of Rp450 million per person. The victim subsequently transferred funds amounting to Rp7.65 billion out of a total of Rp8.55 billion, in accordance with the invoice provided by the organiser. The two suspects promised the victim a departure date of 16 May. However, the prospective pilgrims were never dispatched. Maruli explained that excuses regarding delays in visa issuance were repeatedly given, but ultimately the hajj visas were never issued, causing the victim a loss of approximately Rp7.65 billion. The victim then pursued legal action by filing a police report with the Banten Police. During the investigation, suspect NZ reportedly failed to comply with two summonses from investigators. The Banten Police received information that the individual was suspected of planning to flee abroad. On 24 June 2026, NZ was successfully apprehended at an apartment in Tangerang City. At the same location, officers also arrested suspect NN. Both are now detained at the Banten Police Detention Centre to undergo further legal proceedings. Maruli revealed that in the scheme, suspect NN played the role of offering the package and claiming to own a HKN travel agency capable of dispatching the special Mujamalah hajj. Meanwhile, NZ assisted by facilitating a bank account to receive the payment funds from the victim. The motive of both suspects was to obtain profit for themselves and other parties. For their actions, the two suspects are charged under Article 492 of the Criminal Code and/or Article 486 of the Criminal Code 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 Pilgrimage, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years or a maximum fine of Rp10 billion.