TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police’s Hajj and Umrah Task Force has identified 32 suspects during the 2026 pilgrimage season. Police estimate that the number of victims has reached 3,550 people, with total financial losses amounting to Rp116 billion.
The head of the task force's law enforcement sub-unit, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Irhamni, stated that legal actions span from the National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) down to Regional Police Commands. Irhamni noted that law enforcement is a last resort to create a deterrent effect and deliver justice for the victims.
"Law enforcement is carried out in synergy and collaboration with regional police forces," Irhamni said in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
Irhamni stated that the Hajj and Umrah Task Force is currently handling a total of 64 cases. The figure stems from 64 separate reports, with total losses incurred by victims reaching Rp116,701,700,000.
Among the regional police offices with notable disclosures is the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya), which investigated four reports involving 3,000 victims. Investigators from Polda Metro Jaya have named one suspect in a case where victim losses reached Rp95 billion.
Furthermore, the East Java Regional Police have named 13 suspects in cases affecting 145 victims. Financial losses suffered by these victims amount to Rp9.5 billion. In addition, the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police have identified three suspects involving 282 victims. Estimated losses in that region have reached Rp8.8 billion.
According to Irhamni, the police remain committed to eradicating Hajj and Umrah travel violations to ensure that citizens can perform their pilgrimage peacefully. He also urged the public to be wary of the allure of cheap Hajj and Umrah travel packages.
"The public must remain vigilant and not be tempted by low-cost Hajj and Umrah offers from irresponsible operators," he said.
The police previously formed the task force in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj in an effort to combat fraud targeting pilgrims. "The main focus of the National Police within the Hajj Task Force is to combat illegal Hajj operations, protect pilgrims from fraud, ensure safety and public order, and uncover rogue travel networks," National Police Public Relations Chief Insp. Gen. Johnny Eddizon Isir said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
The police will oversee and enforce laws against illegal or non-procedural Hajj departures in Indonesia, working alongside the government, fellow law enforcement agencies, and Saudi Arabian authorities. This initiative spans early-stage prevention in administration and departures, field monitoring, as well as criminal and administrative enforcement.
Johnny explained that the police will deploy preemptive, preventive, and repressive law enforcement functions to tackle the issue of illegal Hajj operations. Through its preemptive function, the police will educate citizens on the dangers of unauthorized Hajj packages to boost public awareness.
The police will also collaborate with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and regional administrations to promote official Hajj routes and offer legal counseling regarding travel fraud.
Read: How Can Indonesia Avoid Higher Hajj Costs in 2027?
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