Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to Pursue Criminal Charges Against KBIH for Rp1.4 Billion Fraud

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has ensured it will take firm action against members of Hajj guidance groups (KBIH) suspected of defrauding hundreds of pilgrims of up to Rp1.4 billion through fraudulent ‘badal’ and ‘dam’ services. Deputy Minister of Hajj, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, emphasised that the ministry will impose administrative sanctions, including the revocation of licences for the KBIH involved, alongside criminal prosecution for the individuals responsible.

According to Dahnil, the pilgrim protection team from the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Jeddah has secured the perpetrators, although the total number of suspects is yet to be confirmed. He noted that the fraud involved two primary methods: fraudulent ‘badul haji’ (proxy pilgrimage) and the collection of ‘dam’ (atonement) payments, carried out in collaboration with local residents in Saudi Arabia.

‘There is a significant number of pilgrims affected, following complaints from pilgrims who reported that they did not receive official receipts for their payments,’ Dahnil stated via his personal Instagram account on Tuesday.

Anzar acknowledged that ‘hajj cartels’ currently exist, systematically exploiting the lack of awareness among pilgrims. He expressed deep disappointment that those involved are individuals with religious knowledge. ‘Do not turn pilgrims into commodities. It is disheartening that the perpetrators understand religion and jurisprudence, yet are capable of such actions. We intend to put a stop to this in this era,’ he added.