Crackdown on unauthorized Umrah operators in Uzbekistan

north_east

Prosecutor General’s Office warns against illegal Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage schemes

A group of 580 Uzbek citizens who traveled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage through illegal means and ended up stranded without food or shelter have been repatriated via a charter flight. The Committee on Religious Affairs reported the development.

According to officials, some travel agencies failed to fulfill their obligations, leaving numerous pilgrims in dire conditions in Saudi Arabia. During the first three months of 2025, Uzbekistan authorities identified unlicensed companies illegally organizing Umrah trips, leading to 34 criminal cases being opened. So far, 46 individuals have been held criminally responsible for their involvement.

Additionally, 53 tourism service providers engaging in illegal operations have been shut down.

Recently, the number of unauthorized travel agencies offering Hajj and Umrah packages to Uzbek pilgrims without proper licensing has risen sharply, leading to many cases of fraud. In January 2025, several special operations were conducted across multiple regions, targeting companies unlawfully arranging Umrah trips. These firms faced legal action.

In April, authorities in Samarkand apprehended a person charging $3,300 for Umrah pilgrimages despite lacking the proper authorization to send pilgrims. Similarly, in Fergana city, a man who unlawfully accepted $1,100 from a brother and sister for an Umrah trip was caught.