Religious Affairs Ministry Staff Arrested for Hajj Fraud

Antara News, November 05, 2011

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Police in Banten have arrested three officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs who allegedly took money from Muslims hoping to perform the hajj pilgrimage this year.

Rangkas Bitung Police Chief Adj. Comr. Mohamad Mujib told Antara on Saturday that dozens of people had paid the officials as much as Rp 50 million ($5,600) each.

When the outraged victims failed to depart Indonesia as promised on Oct. 28, they contacted police.

Mujib identified one of the officials as Isep Saepudin, who along with his two colleagues, were based in Lebak district.

The trio had admitted to their crimes and faced a maximum of four years in jail for fraud and theft, he said.

Mujib appealed for other potential victims to come forward so the case could be processed quickly.

The head of hajj affairs at the Lebak offices of the religious ministry said he knew nothing about the fraud.

Antara