Bareskrim Reveals Modus Operandi of Illegal Hajj, from Overseas Visas to Ponzi Schemes

Bareskrim Polri has revealed various modus operandi in the execution of illegal Hajj operations that harm the public.

Deputy Head of Bareskrim Polri, Inspector General Nunung Syaifuddin, stated that a common method involves the misuse of non-Hajj visas. He explained that pilgrims are sent early to obtain residence permits (ighomah), which are then used for Hajj.

“Such methods include the misuse of non-Hajj visas like pilgrimage visas and work visas,” Nunung said in a written statement on Saturday (18/4).

Additionally, there are offers for queue-free Hajj at high costs through furoda, mujamalah, or amil visas, which are actually not charged by the Saudi Arabian Government.

Nunung mentioned that there are also practices using visas from other countries such as Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, and Malaysia to send Indonesian citizens illegally to Saudi Arabia.

He explained that most failed illegal Hajj cases originate from embarkation points in Jakarta, Surabaya, Batam, and Makassar.

Furthermore, he said other methods include Ponzi schemes by using funds from new pilgrims to send off older ones, as well as embezzlement of funds under the pretext of force majeure.

“This method is often exploited by certain individuals to carry out fraudulent practices and non-procedural departures that harm the public,” he stated.

On the other hand, Bareskrim has also highlighted the proliferation of illegal travel agencies not registered as PIHK or PPIU, using fake identities, offering non-transparent packages, and failing to guarantee pilgrim protection.

Previously, Police Headquarters and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) formed the Hajj Task Force to protect prospective pilgrims from illegal Hajj practices and scams.

The agreement to form the Hajj Task Force was signed by Deputy Chief of Police Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo and Deputy Minister of Hajj Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak on Thursday (9/4).

Dedi stated that the formation of the Task Force aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives to provide comprehensive protection for Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

He mentioned that the Hajj Task Force will be responsible for conducting outreach, prevention, and legal enforcement against perpetrators of scams and illegal Hajj.