Hajj scam alert: Saudi Arabia alerts public to rising fraud ahead of pilgrimage

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued a public warning urging all prospective Hajj pilgrims to avoid dealing with unauthorised platforms or individuals offering fraudulent Hajj packages and advertisements.

In an official statement, the ministry emphasised that any offers or promotional content circulating through unofficial channels are misleading and do not represent the ministry or any legitimate Hajj authority.

All pilgrims must secure their Hajj visas through official avenues. These include Hajj Affairs Offices in over 80 countries or the Nusuk Hajj platform, which facilitates direct bookings for pilgrims from more than 126 countries.

For domestic pilgrims—including Saudi citizens and residents—the only approved platforms are the official website https://masar.nusuk.sa and the Nusuk mobile application.

To enhance transparency and support pilgrims, the ministry has also made the “Guests of God Care Centre” available 24/7. The center handles queries and reports in multiple languages. Assistance can be accessed via:

Read: Saudi Arabia imposes temporary visa ban on Pakistan ahead of Hajj season

• Unified number (within Saudi Arabia): 1966

• International number: +966920002814

• Email: [email protected]

The ministry urged the public to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of Hajj service providers before making any payments or travel arrangements.