Police crackdown on Hajj travel fraud

Thousands of British Muslims make the Hajj each year and in some cases purchase packages from businesses without an Atol or who falsely claim to possess one.

According to fraud and cybercrime reporting centre, Action Fraud, there were 49 reported cases between April 1 2015 and March 31 2016 - with average loss of £2,651.

Hotspots for recorded offending were London, Birmingham, Manchester and Blackburn.

To tackle the problem, the City of London Police is teaming up with forces across England, Wales and Scotland to raise awareness of the crime and prevent religious tourists from being ripped off.

Upon the initiative’s launch, City of London Police Commander Chris Greany said: “The key to staying safe and keeping the criminals at bay is to conduct your own research into the travel company you are thinking of using. Make sure it is really a member of Abta and is Atol protected and is not just using false logos. You should also get everything in writing and, when you have made a decision, pay for your trip by credit card.”

The campaign has also received backing by the British Council of Hajjis, the CAA and Abta.

Rashid Mogradia, chief executive of the Council urged members of Muslim community to speak out if they had been affected by the crime, he said: “If you know of anyone who has been a victim of Hajj fraud, then please report this to Action Fraud so that the authorities can take action and stop others from falling victim.”

In addition, Abta’s head of financial protection, John de Vial, added: “The often very large sums of money paid out for Hajj trips, can make them a very attractive target for fraudsters and every year pilgrims lose both money and their travel arrangements. Unscrupulous individuals use the fact that pilgrims may not be aware of the strict regulations in place governing the sale of package travel arrangements in the UK.”