92 violations related to fake Umrah packages were detected in Riyadh and Jeddah
As part of ongoing efforts to regulate the Hajj and Umrah sector and protect pilgrims from fraud, joint inspection teams conducted intensive inspection campaigns targeting travel and tourism agencies in Riyadh and Jeddah. This campaign, launched on February 1, 2026, resulted in the detection of 92 violations related to the marketing of fake and unauthorized Umrah packages. The operation was carried out through high-level cooperation and coordination between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, the Public Security Directorate, and the Public Transport Authority.
Details of the seizures in Riyadh and Jeddah
Official campaign statistics revealed a disparity in the number of violations between the two cities. Riyadh witnessed intensive monitoring activity, including 110 field visits, which resulted in the detection of 88 serious regulatory violations. In contrast, field teams in Jeddah conducted 86 monitoring visits to travel agencies, during which only 4 violations were recorded. This reflects a difference in compliance levels between the regions and underscores the need for continued monitoring to ensure everyone adheres to the regulations.
Context of regulating the Umrah sector and its importance
These monitoring campaigns are an integral part of the national strategy to develop the Hajj and Umrah system, which aims to facilitate the pilgrim's journey and enrich their religious and cultural experience. For years, Saudi Arabia has been working to automate Umrah procedures and eliminate the black market and unlicensed intermediaries by launching official digital platforms such as "Nusk," which allows pilgrims from around the world to plan their trips and book services with complete transparency and reliability, avoiding fraudulent campaigns that could expose them to financial losses or legal problems.
Expected impact of monitoring campaigns
This decisive government action is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally, it helps cleanse the market of unfair business practices and strengthens consumer confidence in licensed agencies. Regionally and internationally, it sends a reassuring message to all those wishing to visit the holy sites that their rights are protected and that the relevant authorities are vigilant against any attempts at exploitation. Eliminating fraudulent Umrah packages ensures that pilgrims do not arrive with invalid visas or without confirmed accommodation bookings, thus raising the quality of services provided and achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to host millions of pilgrims annually with high-quality services.
Official warnings and the continuation of the campaign
The entities participating in the campaign confirmed that work is underway to expand the scope of inspection tours to include other cities in various regions of the Kingdom in the coming phases. The relevant ministries emphasized to all travel and tourism service offices the necessity of full compliance with the approved regulations and bylaws, warning that marketing any fraudulent or unauthorized Umrah packages will subject establishments to strict legal penalties, which may include closure and substantial fines. The competent authorities called upon all citizens, residents, and pilgrims to immediately report any suspicious or irregular practices through the official communication channels designated for receiving complaints.
