Police say more than 300 would-be pilgrims lost Rp10 billion to illegal operators using improper visas and routes.
Indonesian police have named 13 suspects for allegedly running unauthorised haj and umrah trips that duped hundreds of prospective pilgrims and caused losses of about Rp10 billion, as authorities step up action ahead of this year’s haj season.
Police Task Force Targets Unauthorised Pilgrimage Operators
A National Police haj and umrah task force opened investigations after receiving more than a dozen public reports about suspicious travel offers. On May 19, police said they had identified 13 suspects accused of organizing unauthorised haj trips for the 2026 season and umrah journeys throughout the year, allegedly preying on over 300 would‑be pilgrims and causing around Rp10 billion (approx. US$566,700) in losses.
Ensuring Safe, Lawful Access To Mecca
National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Johnny Eddizon Isir said the task force was set up to make sure Indonesians can perform haj and umrah safely and via proper procedures, and to prevent anyone from exploiting their religious aspirations. Indonesia has a 2026 haj quota of 221,000 pilgrims, making orderly, legal access and protection from scams a key concern for authorities.
Work Visas Misused For Haj Travel
Separately, on Friday police assisted immigration officers at Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport in stopping 32 Indonesians from departing for Saudi Arabia using 90‑day single-entry work visas instead of haj visas. Random immigration checks uncovered the irregular documents; officials suspect the group planned to route through China before entering Saudi Arabia. An individual identified by the initials EM, believed to be operational manager of Feigo Travel, is alleged to have acted as tour leader for the trip.
Saudi Arabia’s Enforcement And Legal Consequences
Haj and Umrah Ministry spokesperson Maria Assegaff said Saudi authorities have tightened controls against illegal haj activity, adding layered checks at multiple entry points to Mecca. Pilgrims who arrive without proper haj visas risk prosecution, deportation and re-entry bans of up to 10 years. During the 2026 haj season, Saudi authorities detained 19 Indonesians for violations ranging from running unauthorised haj tours to filming local women without consent.
Ongoing Cases And Consular Support In Saudi Arabia
Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Yusron B. Ambary said 15 of the detained Indonesians are under investigation in the Khororoh area and four in Al-Mansyur, Mecca. Two have been granted parole, including a pilgrim accused of filming Saudi women at the Nabawi Mosque who has been allowed to continue the pilgrimage. Yusron warned that if victims in such cases file complaints, legal proceedings will continue and offenders may be unable to return to Indonesia on schedule.
The naming of 13 suspects and the interception of pilgrims travelling on work visas highlight the scale of unauthorised haj and umrah schemes targeting Indonesians each year. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the message is clear: only deal with licensed travel agencies, check visa status carefully and heed official advisories, because shortcuts not only risk financial loss but can also lead to detention and long-term bans from the holy sites.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , The Star (2026)
Keywords: Unauthorized Haj Travel, 13 Suspects Named, Rp10 Billion Losses, Work Visa Misuse, Saudi Entry Crackdown
