Kuching Man Loses RM415,000 To Hajj Permit, Makkah Hotel Scam

KUCHING, April 28 (Bernama) -- An elderly man here lost RM415,000 after falling victim to a scam involving fake Hajj permits and a hotel business in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the 62-year-old victim met the suspect, a Malay man, on Oct 30 last year at a restaurant near the Clock Tower area in Makkah.

“The suspect offered assistance in obtaining Hajj permits as well as an opportunity to participate in a hotel business for pilgrim accommodation during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.

“Lured by the offer, the victim performed six online payment transactions into two different bank accounts,” he said in a statement here tonight.

Alexson said the first payment was made on Nov 10, 2024, by the victim from his Kuching residence.

The victim lost a total of RM415,000.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, with whipping and a fine, upon conviction.

-- BERNAMA