Two men have been arrested in connection with an alleged £100,000 Hajj scam that is believed to have affected around a dozen people, many of them elderly Muslims in Birmingham.
West Midlands Police said the suspects, aged 22 and 23, were arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and money laundering. The arrests followed search warrants carried out at three properties across Birmingham on Tuesday.
Investigators believe approximately 12 people were targeted in the alleged scam, with victims reportedly losing a combined total of around £100,000.
Those affected were allegedly promised that their payments would cover visas, flights, travel arrangements and accommodation for their pilgrimage to Makkah. However, police said the promised services were never provided.
The investigation is being conducted by West Midlands Police’s Economic Crime Unit, working alongside Birmingham City Council Trading Standards.
The arrests follow warnings issued by Trading Standards earlier this year about fraudulent Hajj packages and untrustworthy travel agents targeting Muslim pilgrims.
British Muslims are being urged to remain vigilant when booking pilgrimage packages, particularly when faced with unusually low prices, suspicious visa documents or agents claiming to offer Hajj places through unofficial channels.
Pilgrims from Britain are advised to arrange their Hajj packages through the official Nusuk Hajj platform.
Police have warned that Hajj fraud can leave victims thousands of pounds out of pocket after they pay for flights, accommodation and visas that are never secured or provided.
Authorities have also highlighted concerns that some victims may feel embarrassed about reporting such scams, potentially meaning the actual number of cases is higher than official figures suggest.
The two men remain under investigation and had not been charged at the time of the latest police statement.
