​ MEASURES TO PROTECT YOUR PILGRIMAGE

In recent years, more and more people have fallen victim to the Umrah scam, and many have lost thousands of pounds on planned trips to Makkah. Many victims suffer significant financial losses, often losing their life savings.

Umrah scammers do not discriminate based on age, gender, or location. However, in the months leading up to the Muslim pilgrimage of Umrah, organized crime groups are targeting licensed travel agencies to advertise fraudulent deals to Saudi Arabia on their behalf.

In some cases, Umrah Packages are sold for up to 50% off the normal price. Still, the tour operator closes down just before departure, leaving people who need tours. Can I get my money back? However, there are a few things you can do to limit your chances of becoming a victim:

Ensure your travel agent/tour operator is covered by ATOL (Air Travel Organisers License). Suppose the travel agency closes while you are in Saudi Arabia. In that case, you are guaranteed a return flight at no extra cost. If the agency closes before you leave, ATOL protection allows you to get your money back.

IS YOUR TRAVEL AGENT/TOUR OPERATOR ACCREDITED BY THE SAUDI EMBASSY?

Don't book without checking with your travel agent/tour operator – if the deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is. A recommendation from a friend or family member doesn't guarantee the authenticity of an outfit - a scam can take some time before the perpetrators burn their fortunes and disappear.

Researching the company limits your chances of becoming a scam victim.

Check exactly what you are paying for. When paying, think carefully about your payment method. Establishing an auditable paper trail and keeping records of financial transactions will make fraud more difficult.

GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING

Always get the terms and conditions in writing as they detail your contract with a travel agent or tour operator. Also, ensure your Umrah flight, accommodation, and visa details are valid.

Contact ATOL (0207 453 6700) or Umrah Ministry for more information on authorized ATOL registered dealers.

Chief of Economic Crimes at the City of London Police, Detective Superintendent Steve Head, said:

“Every year the Umrah scam destroys the dreams of countless people who believe they are about to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. The NFIB is working with the Muslim community to shed light on the scammers who continue to cause so much suffering.”

"The more we know about this crime, the more we can do to prevent it, so I urge anyone who is a victim of the Umrah scam to contact the police."

IF YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF THE UMRAH SCAM

Please don't suffer in silence or feel ashamed moving forward. Asif Sadiq, chairman of the Muslim Advisory Committee, said:

“The Muslim community needs to ensure that all its members are aware of Umrah's fraud and emphasizes the importance of supporting the police in any way to help them bring these criminals out. before justice.” 

TRAVELLERS CHECKLIST

Before you cross overseas, look at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) tour recommendation online atwww.fco.gov.united kingdom/knowbeforeyougo or touch the FCO on 020 7008 0232/third for critical tour recommendations and suggestions, and update us of recommendation.

GET GOOD ENOUGH TOUR COVERAGE

• Make certain it consists of complete clinical and repatriation cowl
• Make certain it affords cowl on your complete experience (whether or not at some point or over a year)
• Make certain it covers you for all activities, inclusive of risky sports activities
• Divulge pre-present clinical situations
• Take your coverage wide variety and the 24-hour emergency wide variety with you
• When you have any doubts approximately your cowl, take a look at together along with your insurer

ENSURE YOU'VE GOT GOT A LEGITIMATE PASSPORT AND THE IMPORTANT VISAS

• Make certain your passport is legitimate for at least six months at going back date
• Take a photocopy with you and depart a replica at domestic
• Write the whole info of your subsequent relatives on your passport
• Make certain you've got legitimate visas
• Take any other shape of ID with you (ideally with a photograph)

PLAN TO LIVE HEALTHFULLY

• Take a look at what vaccinations you want together with your GP at least six weeks earlier than your tour
• Take a look at the recommendation at www.doh.gov.united kingdom/travel advice or HTTP:

//www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.united kingdom

• Take a look at in case your medicinal drug is criminal withinside the use of you're journeying
• Percent your medicinal drug to your handbags
• If taking the medicinal drug with you, additionally take the prescription and a GP's letter
• If traveling withinside the EEA (European Economic Area)1, get an E111 from the Post Office

OR when you have acquired a European Health Insurance Card from the Department of Health, this needs to be fascinated by you. At the same time, you tour because it supersedes the E111 shape.

• Take a look at to peer if greater fitness precautions are wanted for the use of you're journeying (e.g., malaria zones)

KNOW APPROXIMATELY IN WHICH YOU'RE GOING

• Get a very good manual ee-e-book and examine the FCO us of a truth sheets
• Make certain you realize approximately neighborhood legal guidelines, in particular referring to alcohol and tablets
• Make certain you realize the approximate neighborhood way of life, in particular referring to get-dressed codes
• Take a word ee-ebook that you could use in emergencies – 1 Country withinside the EEA (European Economic Area) are:

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK

• Make positive your tour agent is an ABTA member and, if flying, ensure your air price tag or vacation bundle is ATOL protected.
• Plan in advance to keep away from the problem
• Take a look at the FCO updated tour recommendation and travelers' suggestions
• Inform pals and your own circle of relatives in which you're going
• Touch your own circle of relatives and pals if the problem flares up

TAKE SUFFICIENT CASH ON YOUR EXPERIENCE

• Take a look at the validity, expiry dates, and coins to be had in your credit score or debit card(s)
• Make certain you've got a backup price range along with traveler's cheques, sterling or US bucks
• Have a go-back price tag or sufficient cash to shop for one

LEAVE COPIES OF CRITICAL STATISTICS WITH YOUR OWN CIRCLE OF RELATIVES AND PALS

• A replica of your passport and info of your subsequent relatives
• A replica of your coverage report plus the 24-hour emergency wide variety
• A replica of your price tag info
• A replica of your itinerary and a manner of contacting you along with e-mail