More than 2,500 pilgrims deceived by unlicensed Umrah tour operators

Tour operators lacking the necessary licenses and permits to organize Umrah pilgrimages have been exposed for deceiving thousands of citizens. The Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights reported on the violations.

According to official data, the most significant damage—amounting to 25 billion sums—was caused by "Panorama Airways" and "Gulbakhor Airways", which defrauded a total of 2,558 individuals.

Additionally, an employee of the Jarkurgan district branch of "Bilolbek Travel" LLC, based in Surkhandarya region and identified as N.Zh., promised to arrange Umrah travel without appropriate authorization. He fraudulently collected 14.9 million sums from citizen M.A. and 2,200 U.S. dollars from citizen H.M.

Law enforcement agencies have taken action against the fraudulent tourism companies and tour operators responsible for misappropriating funds and leaving citizens stranded abroad.

The Committee urged affected individuals and those misled by false, unreliable, or questionable advertising to contact its single hotline at 1159.

For reference, Umrah-related tourism services must be conducted in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Resolutions No. 364 (dated June 7, 2017) and No. 668 (dated October 12, 2024). Under amendments to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Licensing, Permitting and Notification Procedures” (dated July 2, 2024), Umrah pilgrimage services have been officially classified as a separate type of licensed activity.

A list of 12 authorized tour operators permitted to provide Umrah-related services has been published. Any organization operating without a proper license is prohibited from offering such services.

Moreover, under Article 16 of the Law “On Advertising,” it is illegal to promote goods or services for which there is no legal authorization, certification, or licensing.

It is also worth noting that earlier, a criminal case was initiated under Article 168 (fraud) of the Criminal Code against officials of 31 travel companies that organized Umrah trips without a proper license.