Police Expose Various Modus Operandi of Illegal Hajj, from Visas to Ponzi Schemes
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Polri has uncovered various modus operandi in the practice of organising illegal Hajj that harms the public.
“These modus include the misuse of non-Hajj visas such as pilgrimage visas and work visas,” said Deputy Head of the Criminal Investigation Agency of Polri, Inspector General of Police Nunung Syaifuddin, in his statement on Friday (17/4/2026).
Prospective pilgrims are sent off earlier to obtain a residence permit (ighomah), which is then used for Hajj.
There are also offers of Hajj without queuing at high costs through furoda visas, mujamalah, or amil, which are actually not charged by the Saudi Arabian Government.
Polri has also recorded cases of pilgrims failing to depart from several embarkation points, such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Batam, and Makassar, as well as the abandonment of pilgrims abroad without certainty of services.
Other modus include Ponzi schemes, namely using funds from new pilgrims to send off older pilgrims, as well as embezzlement of funds under the pretext of force majeure.
“These modus are often exploited by certain individuals to carry out fraudulent practices and non-procedural departures that harm the public,” Nunung revealed.
Polri also highlighted the prevalence of illegal travel agencies that are not registered as PIHK or PPIU, using fake identities, offering non-transparent packages, and not guaranteeing pilgrim protection.
This task force was formed as a follow-up to coordination between Polri and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Indonesia.
Deputy Head of the Criminal Investigation Agency of Polri, Inspector General of Police Nunung Syaifuddin, stated that Polri is committed to supporting the smooth organisation of Hajj 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE.
“Polri is committed to supporting and ensuring the success of the Hajj worship in 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE so that it runs safely, orderly, and comfortably for all Indonesian Hajj pilgrims,” said Inspector General Nunung in his statement on Friday (17/4/2026).
In addition, Law Number 14 of 2025 demands strengthened supervision and synergy among institutions, especially regarding non-quota and non-procedural Hajj practices.