BPKN Reveals Widespread Illegal Hajj, Victims from Lecturers to Entrepreneurs

JAKARTA - The Republic of Indonesia’s National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) has recorded that since two years ago, there have been Hajj pilgrims departing for Mecca using non-Hajj visas. Chairman of the BPKN Advocacy Commission, Fitrah Bukhari, stated that they continue to encounter members of the public exploited by irresponsible individuals offering illegal Hajj departures. “We still find consumers whose noble desire to perform Hajj is exploited by irresponsible actors through illegal channels, such as using non-Hajj visas,” Fitrah said in a press statement received by Kompas.com on Wednesday (29/4/2026). According to Fitrah, the perpetrators typically employ tactics promising Hajj departures without queuing, along with facilities equivalent to those of regular Hajj pilgrims. However, the reality is far from that. “The modus operandi used by the perpetrators is to lure consumers with the prospect of performing Hajj without queuing and receiving the same facilities as other Hajj pilgrims,” Fitrah explained. He noted that the number of victims from these illegal practices is not insignificant and comes from various professional backgrounds, ranging from lecturers to entrepreneurs. This indicates that the fraudulent practices are conducted on a wide scale and target diverse groups. “The victims even include people from professions such as lecturers and entrepreneurs. This signifies the massive manipulation employed by these actors,” he emphasised. “We are focusing from late April to late June as the period for handling Hajj and Umrah consumer complaints,” Fitrah revealed. He stressed that the complaints received are not limited to visa issues but also encompass the services provided, including the alignment between promises and actual delivery of services by Hajj and Umrah Guidance Groups (KBIHU) and Special Hajj Operators (PIHK). BPKN urges the public, including pilgrims, prospective pilgrims, and their families, to immediately report any indications of suspicious Hajj offers.