The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Saturday has issued cautionary alert over fraudulence on hajj refund, as several groups of fraudsters are active in the country in the name of returning Hajj's refund money.
The Ministry requested all to be careful against such fraudulent circles," said a ministry press release on Saturday.
It is said that a group of fraudsters posing as officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs are calling Hajjis, Hajj agency owners or representatives and Hajj guides asking for information about their debit or credit card, bKash or Nagad wallets. In this way, a couple of fraudulence cases have also happened.
These scammers are reportedly requesting details such as debit or credit card numbers and mobile payment credentials, including bKash and Nagad information. A few cases of successful fraud have already been reported, prompting the ministry to urge vigilance and caution, it said.
The refund money from the Ministry of Religion to Hajj, Hajj agencies and Hajj guides is sent directly to the bank through BEFTN or cheques. The Ministry of Religion has requested not to give any such information when fraudsters call and ask for money back.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs strongly advised Hajj pilgrims and associated parties not to disclose any personal financial information over the phone. If anyone receives suspicious calls claiming to be from the ministry, they should immediately lodge a written complaint with law enforcement authorities.
The ministry also confirmed that it had earlier requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to initiate
legal action against such fraudulent activities.
