Police Uncover Illegal Hajj Scheme Using Work Visas, 8 Pilgrims Thwarted

The Directorate of Specific Crimes at Bareskrim Polri is investigating allegations of illegal Hajj departures through the misuse of work visas. In this case, the departure of eight prospective Hajj pilgrims was thwarted at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Director of Specific Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Pol. Moh. Irhamni, stated that the uncovering resulted from a joint examination with immigration authorities conducted on 18 April 2026. “From the results, there are eight individuals suspected of engaging in illegal Hajj activities,” Irhamni said at Bareskrim Polri, Jakarta, on Thursday (30/4/2026). Since 2024, the suspected parties have reportedly sent off illegal Hajj pilgrims 127 times. The modus operandi involves recruiting members of the public with promises of departing for Hajj without long queues. The victims are then sent off using work visas, despite the primary purpose being to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. “In our findings, administratively they use work visas, but evidence was found that the actual purpose is to perform the Hajj this year,” he explained. Polri is also cooperating with the Directorate General of Immigration to take action against parties involved in providing documents, including possible visa administration manipulation. “As investigators and prosecutors, we will pursue parties involved in providing visas or manipulating departure administration,” he emphasised. He stressed that firm action will be taken against all involved parties to provide a deterrent effect and prevent similar practices from recurring. “Usually, participants are lured with the promise of departing in the same year they register. Whereas normally, Hajj departures require a waiting period of several years,” he said. Furthermore, Irhamni explained that the eight prospective pilgrims who were secured are still in Indonesia after their departure was thwarted by immigration authorities.