Beware of a scam offering free Hajj sponsorships, Many online sites are illegally collecting personal information from hundreds of thousands of people. As Muslims around the world prepare for the annual trip, Pakistan Observer has discovered bogus websites and received instances of scammers sending phishing emails and spam links via Whatsapp groups, falsely advertising Hajj packages or services.
These fraudsters are conducting a large-scale scam under the guise of the Islamic pilgrimage, soliciting personal details such as passport information, credit card details, and other sensitive data from unsuspecting victims.
A message doing rounds on Whatsapp claims that “Applications for Mohammed Bin Salman Free Hajj Sponsorship 2024 Is Available”, and that “Scheme is open for those not in position to afford hajj this year”.
It further said 0.75 million Muslims will be given opportunity to do Hajj with Free transport and accommodation.
Hajj Scam 2024
A website called “MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN Hajj 2024 Sponsorship Scheme” is now at the top of Google search results. However, it’s crucial to understand that this is a fake scheme intended to trick people who want to go on the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in 2024.
The fake portal falsely asserts that Hajj sponsorship is available through the Kingdom’s foundation and is accessible to all Hajj applicants.
Moreover, scammers are coercing individuals to share the link in Whatsapp groups. According to available information, these scammers are operating the website from Nigeria.
Saudi Arabia warns against Online Hajj Registration Scams
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued warning for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages to be alert to online registration scams.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stressed that pilgrims should only trust official ministry accounts. Scammers have been tricking people by asking for personal details and money through fake websites.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5GzHAPNFZI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=invalid&ig_rid=2c00d78f-28a1-4431-a5de-c620b14ccfc2
Hisham Saeed, a spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry, clarified to a foreign publication that the ministry does not provide funding for Hajj.
Further, cautionary measures have been issued regarding recent online links that have circulated.
