Police Name Owner of Semarang Umrah Agency as Suspect in Fraud, Victims Lose Hundreds of Millions

Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Semarang Police AKBP Andika Dharma Sena. ANTARA/I.C. Senjaya

SEMARANG - Police have named the owner of the Al Amanah Semarang Hajj and Umrah travel business, HU, as a suspect in a case of alleged fraud or embezzlement against dozens of prospective umrah pilgrims who did not depart for the Holy Land.

"The suspects were secured by their victims, who were then handed over to the Semarang Police," said Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Semarang Police AKBP Andika Dharma Sena, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, April 30.

According to him, there were 3 reports of alleged fraud against the suspect HU who entered the Semarang Police.

There were 15. victims in the three police reports with a total loss of Rp356 million.

According to Andika, the travel agency for the haj and umrah owned by the suspect is a fictitious company.

The suspect used other Hajj and Umrah travel agencies to send prospective pilgrims who had been flown to the Holy Land.

The suspect's fictitious company, he continued, has been operating for three years by opening an office in one of the shopping centers in Semarang City.

In addition, he said, the suspect HU is a repeat offender who has already served two criminal sentences.

For his actions, the suspect was charged with the new Article 486 of the Criminal Code regarding embezzlement or the new Article 492 of the Criminal Code regarding fraud.