POLICE have received 121 reports of fraudulent haj and umrah pilgrimage packages using private furada visas, involving three travel agencies.

Secretary to the police, Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin, said of the RM5 million reported losses, Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest number of reports (48) and RM2 million in losses, followed by Selangor with 30 reports and RM956,300 lost.

She added Pahang recorded 18 reports with a loss of RM1.2 million, while Kelantan, Perak and Johor received six reports each, with a loss value of RM608,000.

“Kedah received three reports with a loss of RM48,000, while Negri Sembilan recorded two reports with a loss of RM170,500, and Terengganu and Penang recorded one report each with a total loss of RM70,000,” she said in a statement today.

According to Noorsiah, a total of 323 victims are involved with 22 investigation papers have been opened.

On July 7, about 380 prospective haj pilgrims found themselves stranded at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, believed to be victims of a scam by a private travel agency.

They also were supposed to travel on furada visas, which are private haj visas and not part of the Lembaga Tabung Haji quota. – Bernama, July 19, 2022.