Dubai Police Arrests Group Behind Fraudulent Umrah & Hajj Visa Scheme

Dubai Police have arrested a group that used social media to promote fraudulent Umrah and Hajj visas, luring victims with deceptively low prices and easy bank transfers.

Posing as authorised agents, the group advertised pilgrimage packages that never materialised, falsely claiming to offer expedited visa processing through unofficial channels. Once payments were finalised, the scammers blocked customers’ contact numbers and disappeared with the funds.

This is not the first case of Umrah and Hajj fraud. In 2023, the owner of Sharjah-based tour operator Baitul Ateeq was arrested after collecting nearly Dh3 million from victims who paid in full for their pilgrimage but received no further communication just days before departure.

In response, UAE authorities are urging the public to obtain pilgrimage visas only through licensed and authorised entities to avoid falling victim to such scams.