KUALA LUMPUR: A tour company is under police investigation after 399 reports were lodged against it for alleged fraudulent umrah packages involving RM14.2mil in losses.
At least 1,614 prospective pilgrims have been affected, said Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf.
“The company is believed to have used Facebook in addition to agents to promote pilgrimage services of between RM5,000 and RM11,000, and the payments were made by the victims to a local bank account,” he said.
The company, which has nine branches in several states, was established in 2015 and ran various business activities including tourism.
Comm Ramli said police have recorded statements from two company directors – a married couple in their 40s.
Of the 399 reports received by the police, 88 were lodged in Selangor, followed by Kuala Lumpur (56), Terengganu (40), Johor (35), Kelantan (34), Melaka (24), Sabah (23), Perak (19), Kedah (18), Pahang (17), Negri Sembilan (17), Penang (16), Sarawak (11) and Perlis (one).
“Based on the reports lodged, 229 were referred to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry as well as the Consumer Claims Tribunal,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Comm Ramli said that as a result of the investigation carried out by the ministry, the company has been suspended from July 10 this year to Jan 9 next year for “conducting business in a way that harms the interests of the public, tourism industry and national economy”.
The Companies Commission of Malaysia also blacklisted the company and its two directors on Oct 5, he added.
Comm Ramli said that based on information from the ministry, early this year the Saudi government increased the cost for umrah and haj pilgrimages covering accommodation, transportation and meals.
“This makes the cost of the package offered by this company no longer relevant.
“The company held negotiations with the prospective pilgrims by giving them two options: the first was to continue waiting for their turn, and the second was to get a refund.
“However, it is said that the company failed to honour either option,” he said, adding that the police investigation is ongoing.
