Banyuwangi Police Arrest Two Women Running a Fake Umrah Travel Agency, Dozens of Pilgrims Scammed
The Banyuwangi Police have uncovered an Umrah travel scam by the agency PT. Sahabat Zivana Haramain. Two suspects, KIC (34) and ARM (33), have been taken into custody. Police Chief Commissioner Rofiq Ripto Himawan stated that the case came to light after victim reports in December 2025. Suspect KIC was responsible for recruiting pilgrims, while ARM owned the company, which operated in Muncar District for about four years without an official PPIU license.
Cheap Umrah offers were advertised through social media and brochures, with rates of Rp23–27 million per person. Victims were given complete gear like suitcases, ihram, and passports, but after full payment many never got to depart. Some pilgrims who did leave ended up stranded in Saudi Arabia without proper accommodation. So far, 11 victims have been recorded with total losses around Rp400–500 million, and the number is expected to increase.
Both suspects are being charged under multiple articles, including Article 124 in conjunction with Article 117 of Law No. 14/2025 on the Third Amendment to the Hajj and Umrah Implementation Law, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 8 years and/or a category V fine. Additionally, Article 122 in conjunction with Article 115 of the same law is applied, along with Articles 492 and 486 of the Criminal Code (Law No. 1/2023), with a threat of up to 4 years in prison. Police are still investigating and urge people who feel they have been scammed to report it to the Banyuwangi Police Station.
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