As for those who wish to go on pilgrimage (hajj) or umrah, they may think that they won't fall for these these type of scams. But that's not really the case.
According to a report by New Straits Times earlier this year, a total of 3,400 fraud umrah travel package cases were filed last year with the tribunal, involving a loss of RM20.77 million.
Not only that, 11 companies reportedly had their umrah license revoked for various offences. You can find a list of banned agencies here.
Tabung Haji has recently issued a statement via their official Facebook page, advising the public to be wary of fraudulent packages that seemed too good to be true that are circulating around the internet, especially via social media.
For this year’s hajj season, Tabung Haji has only appointed 20 eligible local travel agencies that can offer hajj packages. The organisation denied appointing any individuals to be their agents or middle person to help sell hajj packages.
Those who have received their offer letter to perform the hajj this year are strongly advised to take up packages offered only by Tabung Haji or companies that Tabung Haji endorses.
List of approved travel agencies by Tabung Haji:
1. TH Travels & Services Sdn. Bhd.
2. Alif Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
3. Andalusia Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
4. Ash-Har Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
5. Batuta Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
6. C. S. Holidays Sdn. Bhd.
7. Citra Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
8. Felda Travel Sdn. Bhd.
9. Gemilang Travel and Tours Sdn. Bhd.
10. Misbah Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
11. Masamas Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
12. MKM Ticketing Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
13. Platinum Gesture Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
14. Rayhar Travels Sdn. Bhd.
15. Syarikat Pelancungan Yaskin Sdn. Bhd.
16. TM Tours & Travel Sdn. Bhd.
17. Touch Me Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
18. Utas Travel & Tours Worldwide Holidays Sdn. Bhd.
19. Wira Saujana Travels & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
20. Zahafiz Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.