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Hajj 2025: 4 arrested in Saudi Arabia for promoting fake pilgrimage campaigns
Saudi authorities have urged citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations and guidelines and to report any violations
- PUBLISHED: Fri 18 Apr 2025, 11:27 PM
Three violators of border security regulations in Saudi and a Yemeni resident in the kingdom were arrested by authorities for promoting fake Hajj campaigns on social media.
The General Directorate of Public Security said late on Friday that security patrols in the city of Makkah apprehended the four accused after it was found out that they were involved in promoting misleading campaigns offering housing and transportation services for pilgrims within the holy sites.
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Legal procedures were takes against the four as they were referred to Saudi Public Prosecution.
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Saudi authorities have urged citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations and guidelines, and to report any violations by calling 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 in the rest of the kingdom.
Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has emphasised that those who wish to perform Hajj this year must obtain an official Hajj permit through the Nusuk platform, which is integrated with the unified digital platform for issuing Hajj permits (Tasreeh platform).
It also clarified that none of the various visa types grant the right to perform Hajj except for those specifically issued for that purpose—the official Hajj visa. It warned that attempting to perform Hajj without a valid permit is considered a violation of Hajj rules and regulations.
Additionally, the ministry warned against fraud and scams, particularly those promoted via fake and misleading Hajj campaign advertisements on social media.