Fake Hajj 2025 Ads Start Appearing on Social Media, Muslims Warned

Despite official registrations closing months ago, scammers on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Google are promoting illegal “discounted Hajj packages,” falsely claiming to bypass Saudi Arabia’s mandatory Nusuk permit system.

Authorities warn that participating in such schemes risks severe penalties, including fines of SAR 100,000, deportation, and bans from Saudi Arabia.

Performing Hajj without a Nusuk permit is both illegal and religiously impermissible. The Council of Senior Scholars emphasized: “Obtaining a permit is the first and most crucial step of Hajj. Without it, accessing holy sites becomes impossible, and the act becomes a transgression that harms others.”

Saudi law also penalizes anyone assisting illegal pilgrims—including transporters, landlords, or facilitators—with identical fines and legal action.

Recent crackdowns in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, and Egypt have led to arrests of individuals running fake campaigns. These scams often use deceptive tactics, such as:

• Mimicking official agency logos
• Promising “Hajj without Nusuk”
• Offering last-minute “discounted” packages post-registration closure
• Requesting untraceable payments (e.g., cryptocurrency)

How to Protect Yourself:

• Report scams: Alert local authorities and Saudi’s Hajj Fraud Hotline (+966 920002814).

• Verify permits: Cross-check bookings via the official Nusuk app or Hajj.gov.sa.

• Confirm legitimacy: Contact Saudi embassies to validate travel agencies.

Saudi authorities have deployed enhanced biometric checks and AI surveillance to block unauthorized pilgrims from entering Makkah.

With Hajj 2025 expected to draw over 1.8 million visitors, officials stress that only those with valid permits will access holy sites.

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