ALKHOBAR: The government has shut down five unlicensed Haj offices in the Eastern Province that were offering transport and accommodation for illegal pilgrims traveling from Alkhobar, Al-Ahsa and Qatif.

Ziad Al-Ruqaiti, police spokesman in the Eastern Province, said: “The police arrested a citizen in Al-Ahsa for running an unlicensed office to transport illegal pilgrims.”

He said that four Asian expatriates were arrested for organizing fake pilgrimage trips in Alkhobar through two unlicensed offices, while a Saudi citizen and an Arab expatriate were arrested in Qatif for the same offenses.

Al-Ruqaiti said police teams would continue to arrest those violating the country’s laws. “We call on all citizens and residents wishing to perform Haj to do so through legal companies. They must verify the licenses of these offices.”

He said that some people have been attempting to make money from the Haj by attracting potential pilgrims with low prices. They then run away with the money of these pilgrims, he said.