The Director of General Security in Saudi Arabia, Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Basami, stated that the General Security has succeeded in arresting more than 140 fake Hajj companies during this year's Hajj season. He confirmed that the security forces are prepared to address anything that disrupts security and order, as well as to prevent any activities that could affect the safety of the guests of God. Al-Basami mentioned that 64,000 individuals were apprehended while attempting to transport irregular pilgrims to the holy sites.
Recently, Saudi Arabia launched an international awareness campaign regarding the dangers of fake Hajj campaigns, as revealed by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, during a press conference regarding this year's Hajj affairs. This reflects Saudi Arabia's desire to eliminate the prevalence of these campaigns, or at least reduce their spread among foreign tourism agencies promoting fake Hajj in certain Arab countries. The newly implemented decision targets the fraudsters who publish advertisements for fake Hajj campaigns aimed at deceiving domestic pilgrims.
It is a recurring issue that as the Hajj season approaches, these fake campaigns exploit the religious sentiments of many both within and outside the country. Many who wish to perform the rituals often fall into the trap of being lured by these campaigns, whose perpetrators are mostly from Arab nationalities, claiming to provide accommodations, transportation within the holy sites, and securing sacrifices. Therefore, through this latest campaign, Saudi Arabia renews its focus on eradicating these fraudulent initiatives.
