Ministry of Hajj Uncovers Fictitious Hajj Badal Scheme, Congregant Losses Reach Billions of Rupiah
BERITATOP - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) of the Republic of Indonesia has uncovered several cases of alleged fraudulent badal hajj and embezzlement of korban or dam funds, causing losses to Indonesian pilgrims. One of the largest cases involved pilgrims from Merauke with losses reaching Rp306.8 million.
Kemenhaj Spokesperson, Ichsan Marsha, explained that the case allegedly involved a mukim or Indonesian citizen residing in Saudi Arabia named Muhtar.
"Muhtar is suspected of embezzling badal and korban money belonging to pilgrims from Merauke from UPG-29 batch amounting to Rp306.8 million. The report was submitted directly by the pilgrims to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah on June 2, 2026, at Safwat Alsharooq Hotel, Mecca," said Ichsan in an official statement on Wednesday (10/6/2026).
Following up on the report, Kemenhaj immediately coordinated with several parties, including the International Relations Division (Divhubinter) of the National Police, the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Jeddah, the Police Attaché, and Saudi Arabian security forces.
"We have intensively coordinated with Divhubinter Polri, the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah, the Police Attaché, and Saudi Arabian security authorities. Currently, the individual has been successfully apprehended and detained," Ichsan emphasized.
Not only the case involving pilgrims from Merauke, Kemenhaj also found four other alleged violations related to fraudulent badal hajj practices and the management of korban funds. These cases involved individuals acting as religious guides and Hajj and Umrah Guidance Groups (KBIHU).
On June 4, 2026, a religious guide from UPG-29 batch, also an ASN of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Timika Regency, with the initials MH, is suspected of collaborating with a mukim to embezzle badal hajj and korban funds belonging to pilgrims from Papua.
"After guidance, MH agreed to return the money he received to the pilgrims amounting to 25,500 SAR or approximately Rp122 million," said Ichsan.
Another case occurred on June 7, 2026. KBIHU MB in BPN-11 batch, led by M, allegedly directed pilgrims to pay korban fees of Rp75 million and badal hajj for 25 pilgrims at a rate of Rp2.5 million per person. The total collected funds reached Rp137.5 million. After an examination, the individual expressed willingness to return the funds to the pilgrims.
On the same day, Kemenhaj also found alleged violations committed by a religious guide from BPN-10 batch, with the initials AB, against six pilgrims from Central Sulawesi. AB allegedly did not perform the promised badal hajj and obtained an illegal profit of Rp15 million. This amount was then agreed to be returned to the pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the case with the largest alleged profit was found on June 8, 2026. KBIHU AF of Purwakarta Regency, led by NF, allegedly committed badal hajj payment fraud against 140 pilgrims with a fee of Rp10 million per person. From this practice, the alleged managed funds reached approximately Rp1.4 billion.
Ichsan emphasized that the investigation into these cases is not yet complete and is still being developed to uncover the possibility of other parties involved.
"The investigation into these alleged hajj violations is ongoing and will be further developed," he asserted.
