Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
The chief director of PT Alfatih, RMY, which runs illegal furoda haj trips, was arrested by the police. He allegedly harmed 45 potential pilgrims who wanted to leave for the Holy Land.
Head of Public Relations of the Police West Java Pol Kombes Ibrahim Tompo said that the victims suffered a total loss of IDR 4.6 billion.
“This happened in July 2022 involving 45 potential haj pilgrims who could be considered scammed by haj artists who had no legality,” said Ibrahim of the West Java Regional Police, quoted by BetweenWednesday (4/1).
Tompo explained that the victims had arrived at the West Java Regional Police in July 2022. The report was filed in August 2022.
West Java Regional Police Special Crime Director Kombes Pol Arif Rachman said RMY was a specialist in document forgery.
Arif explained that RMY used a tourist visa from Malaysia to Saudi Arabia, then changed it to a Hajj visa for prospective pilgrims from their travels.
However, the fake documents have been detected by the Saudi Arabian government. Pilgrims were also deported.
He said that, in recruiting potential pilgrims, RMY has visited a number of plays in various regions.
Meanwhile, the travel company managed by RMY does not have a Special Hajj Organizer (PIHK) permit from the Ministry of Religion.
The location of PT Alfatih is also fictitious, although it does include an address in Lembang, West Bandung Regency.
“RMY has convinced potential pilgrims that it can provide VIP facilities, three Hajj rituals and various Hajj facilities, including going on a pilgrimage without queuing,” Arif said.
RMY has promised to return the taxes paid by the pilgrims after their deportation. However, he said, there had been no attempt to repay the loss until early 2023.
Currently, RMY is the only suspect because employees of the fraudulent travel company were not involved.
RMY was charged under Article 121 of Law No. 8 of 2019 regarding Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage. He faces six years in prison and a fine of IDR 6 billion.
(tim/tsa)
