Suspected of Deceiving Prospective Pilgrims, Al Amanah Umrah Bureau in Semarang Reported to Police

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SEMARANG – The Al Amanah hajj and umrah bureau in Semarang City, Central Java, has been reported to the police by its prospective pilgrims. The reason is that Al Amanah failed to return funds from more than a dozen pilgrims whose umrah trips were cancelled.

The head of criminal investigation at Semarang Police Resort, AKBP Andika Dharma Sena, confirmed the report against the Al Amanah hajj and umrah travel bureau. He stated that the reporters are two prospective pilgrims who are suspected to be victims, while the respondent is the owner of Al Amanah.

“Five people have already been examined, including the respondent,” said Andika when contacted via text message on Monday (27/4/2026).

Andika has not disclosed the initials of the respondent. However, he confirmed that the report against the owner of Al Amanah relates to the failure of prospective pilgrims to depart for umrah despite having completed their payments.

“The report concerns victims who used the umrah travel services to perform umrah. However, after the payment was made, the travel agency unilaterally cancelled it. On that basis, the victims reported it,” Andika explained.

According to Andika, based on preliminary examination results, Al Amanah claims to have returned part of the funds for the cancelled umrah pilgrims. “There has been a partial refund by the respondent. So the victim paid Rp50 million, and Rp20 million was returned; we are conducting further investigations,” he said.

“The investigators have sent a letter to the Ministry of Religious Affairs to clarify whether this travel agency is registered or not,” Andika added.