He took locals' money and passports
Babil security forces arrest travel agency owner for Umrah fraud
BABIL – Security forces in Babil governorate arrested the owner of a tourist company on Wednesday, accused of defrauding locals by taking their money and passports with promises of arranging Umrah trips, then disappearing.
The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims, located in Saudi Arabia. Unlike the Hajj, which must be performed on specific dates according to the Islamic calendar, Umrah can be undertaken at any time of the year.
The Tourist Security Directorate reported that several citizens in Hilla City claimed the owner took their passports and money under the pretext of organizing travel for Umrah. Following these reports, officers formed a team to investigate. They gathered information, located the company owner, and arrested him. The investigation is ongoing to determine the details of the case and take necessary legal actions against him.
The directorate urged citizens who have fallen victim to similar fraudulent schemes to visit police stations to file official complaints.
There has been an increase in the number of Umrah pilgrimages throughout the year, particularly during the Islamic months of Rajab and Sha’ban. In February, Basra International Airport witnessed a surge in activity driven by Umrah pilgrims, with six flights to Saudi Arabia per day, marking the busiest period in months.
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