In March 2025, Dubai Police arrested a gang that promoted fake Hajj and Umrah visa services on social media. It posed as authorised agents, quoted low prices, asked for bank transfers, then blocked victims once the money arrived. The police urged residents to use only licensed UAE agencies.
Red flags from the police warning
- Prices far below what other providers charge for the same dates.
- Offers that reach you through social media ads or direct messages.
- Requests to pay by bank transfer to an account that isn't a registered company.
- Promises of very fast visa approval.
- Contact stops the moment you pay.
Our advice for checking an agent
These steps are our own suggestions, not official rules, but they follow directly from how the scams worked.
- Ask for the company's trade licence and its Umrah or tourism licence details. Then check them with the licensing authority in the emirate where the company operates.
- Look for the provider on Nusuk. The ministry says packages must come from accredited providers listed there.
- Get everything in writing: what is included, hotel names, number of nights, flight details, and the refund terms.
- Pay a registered company account, and keep the receipt. Where it is offered, paying by card can give you more recourse than a bank transfer, so check your card's terms.
- Check status in Nusuk before paying for flights. A real booking appears under your name.
- Keep screenshots of the offer, the chat and the payment.
If you think you've been scammed
Report it quickly. Dubai Police named ecrime.ae as the place to report suspicious ads and activity. Tell your bank right away, and share what you have: the ad, the account details, the chat history and the receipt.
Scammers are busiest when demand peaks, especially around Ramadan. If a deal looks too good for the season, it probably is.