Banten Police Arrest 2 Suspects in Hajj Fraud Who Received Rp7.65 Billion in Victim's Money

Head of Public Relations of the Banten Police, Kombes Maruli Ahiles Hutapea (ANTARA/HO-Polda Banten)

JAKARTA - The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of the Banten Police arrested two suspects for alleged fraud and embezzlement in the guise of organizing special mujamalah hajj, which caused losses to the victims of up to Rp. 7.65 billion.

Head of Public Relations of the Banten Police, Kombes Maruli Ahiles Hutapea, said the two suspects with initials NN (53) and NZ (31) had been detained at the Banten Police Detention House.

"This case started with a police report on June 2, 2026. The victim AW, the owner of a company in Serang Regency, was initially offered a VIP special hajj package for Rp320 million per person," said Maruli as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, June 26.

The victim then asked for an increase in facilities, including hotels, consumption, and transportation. After reaching an agreement, the victim planned to send 19 prospective pilgrims at a cost of Rp. 450 million per person.

According to Maruli, the victim then transferred funds in stages of Rp7.65 billion out of a total bill of Rp8.55 billion to the organizer.

However, until the departure schedule on May 16, 2026, all prospective pilgrims were not sent away because the Hajj visa had not been issued.

During the investigation, the suspect NZ missed two calls from investigators. After receiving information that the suspect was suspected of fleeing abroad, the police made an arrest.

"On June 24, 2026, suspect NZ was successfully arrested at an apartment in Tangerang City. At the same location, we also secured suspect NN," said Maruli.

Maruli explained that NN played a role in offering a package to perform the hajj by claiming to have an HKN travel agent who could perform the mujamalah hajj.

Meanwhile, NZ provides an account to accommodate payment funds from victims.

The police confiscated a number of evidence in the form of evidence of Bank BNI transfers worth billions of rupiah, two bill invoices each worth Rp. 4.05 billion and Rp. 3.6 billion, one bundle of summons letters, PT Imtiyaz Global Wisata profile documents, and a list of prospective pilgrims.

Both suspects were charged with Article 492 and/or Article 486 of the Criminal Code based on Law Number 1 of 2023 in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 125 in conjunction with Article 118 of Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of the Hajj and Umrah.

"Both are threatened with imprisonment for a maximum of 12 years or a maximum fine of Rp. 10 billion," said Maruli.