Moroccan Pilgrims Fall Victim to Hajj Scams Ahead of Ramadan

In January, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs announced that the pilgrimage fees for the 1445 H season, for pilgrims supervised by the ministry, were set at 66,865.50 DH. It had also invited all citizens selected in the draw to pay the Hajj fees for the 1445 H season, in a single payment, at the Al Barid Bank agencies, from Monday, January 22, 2024 to Wednesday, January 31, 2024. And, the electronic registration operation for those wishing to go to the holy sites for the 1446 H season was held from February 5 to 15. But things will not go as planned. "Dozens of citizens in Salé have been scammed by a travel agency in the city," reports the daily Al Akhbar, adding that the Regional Association of Travel Agencies of Rabat-Salé-Kenitra "has warned against the increase in cases of fraud" orchestrated by "agencies greedy for easy gain".

"The increase in scams among Hajj pilgrims, Umrah pilgrims and organized trips is detrimental to the reputation of travel agencies, denounces the association. Practices that require the utmost firmness and a real restructuring to fight against fake travel agencies that defraud customers." It therefore seems urgent to regulate the sector.