The Ministry of Religious Affairs has urged all Hajj pilgrims, Hajj agency owners, representatives, and guides to remain vigilant against a group of fraudsters offering false promises of refunding Hajj expenses.
an emergency notice was issued by the Ministry’s Hajj-1 branch regarding this matter on Sunday (20 October).
According to the notice, a certain group of fraudsters has been impersonating officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, contacting Hajj pilgrims, Hajj agency owners, and guides, promising refunds.
These scammers are requesting sensitive information such as debit or credit card details, as well as bKash or Nagad information under the guise of processing refunds.
The ministry has clarified that any refund from the Ministry of Religious Affairs is processed directly into the bank accounts of the concerned parties through Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN) or via cheque. The Ministry never requests debit or credit card details, or any bKash or Nagad information for refund purposes. They have strongly advised individuals not to provide such information if approached by phone for Hajj refund promises.
Additionally, the ministry has advised that any such fraudulent calls should be immediately reported in writing to law enforcement authorities. The Ministry of Religious Affairs had previously requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to take legal action on this issue.
