KUALA LUMPUR: Police confirmed receiving three reports from victims who were allegedly duped by a mudir (principal) of a madrasah who promised to provide them with umrah visas.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said two of those reports involved umrah packages and another was related to an offer of a goat business venture in Makkah.
He said two police reports were lodged in Selayang by two women, aged 33 and 34, who were unhappy with the do-it-yourself (DIY) umrah package they received despite promises of a proper pilgrimage package.
The duo, along with 150 other people, were asked to pay RM8,500 each between Jan 22 and Jan 31 last year despite being told initially that it would cost them between RM7,000 to RM8,000.
"The complainant claimed that the umrah programme that they took did not follow the tentative programme as advertised by the organiser.
"The case has been referred to the Consumers Tribunal," Ramli told Harian Metro.
He said the other report was lodged by a 57-year-old man in Sungai Petani, Kedah on Feb 17.
"The victim said on Jan 13 last year, he got to know an ustaz who offered an opportunity of a goat business in Makkah."
He said on May 19 last year, the ustaz asked the man about borrowing RM125,000, but the man only agreed to loan the ustaz lend RM50,000 and he was suppose to pay back the sum a week after Hari Raya Aidiladha.
It was claimed that the ustaz paid back RM5,000 in instalments and there was still another RM15,000 in unpaid loans.
"We have yet to classify the investigation that is being carried out," said Ramli, who advised the public who wish to perform the umrah to use do a background check on the agency they hire to avoid becoming victims.
"Please do not be easily duped or fall prey to scammers who are always looking for ways to cheat and deceive for their own profit," he said.