Hajj fraud

Every year thousands of UK Muslims celebrate Hajj by making the pilgrimage to Mecca: an expensive trip.

Unfortunately many who have paid for a tour package for themselves and their family have their dreams shattered by fraudsters.

Some arrive in Saudi Arabia to find the accommodation they booked doesn't exist.

Others discover that their whole trip is a scam set up by illegitimate travel operators, who have disappeared with thousands of pounds of their money.

How to protect yourself from Hajj fraudsters

• Use the official Nusuk website to book your Hajj and only book it with one of the travel agents listed on the site.
• Research the travel agent using trusted websites and reviews before you complete your booking.
• Hajj packages are not ATOL protected, so ask for advice from your travel agent on how this may affect your pilgrimage.
• Keep all receipts and details of your payments, and follow the advice on the Nusuk website about how and when to make payments.

Further information and help

To plan your visit and keep updated when travelling, see the:

• Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on X
• Nusuk Hajj on X
• British Embassy in Saudi Arabia on X or Facebook
• Saudi Embassy in the UK

For more information and help or to report these and many other types of fraud, go to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre.

For more advice you can also go to CBHUK (The Council for British Hajjis).

You might also find the video below (produced by City of London Police) useful.