At least six bogus Haj operators were arrested in Jubail and Riyadh recently. Jubail police arrested two Asian expatriates for running bogus Haj operations and taking money from unsuspecting people wanting to perform the pilgrimage this year.

Col. Ziad Al-Ruqaiti, media spokesman for the province's police department, said that officers arrested Asian expatriates working in an unlicensed office, after receiving a tip-off. The belongings and equipment of the accused were seized and the case referred to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution. Al-Ruqaiti said police would continue to crack down on bogus operators. He said people should be careful about signing contracts and giving money to companies offering Haj and Umrah services. These operators offer unrealistically low-cost Haj packages to attract customers.

In the capital, four bogus Haj operators were booked for operating fake companies and their offices closed down. According to the police, two offices were based in central Riyadh while the other two were located in the western part of the capital. The workers and owners of the "Haj offices" were taken into custody for further investigations. Several Asian pilgrims have been duped by such agents in previous years resulting in their not being able to perform the annual pilgrimage.

Last week, Riyadh police urged pilgrims to deal only with registered companies to avoid losing their money.

The government has said it would severely punish agents operating without Haj licenses. “Such agents, if caught, will be subject to the maximum punishment,” police said.

According to the Ministry of Haj, it is obligatory for domestic pilgrims to contract with licensed companies. In addition, pilgrims should have a valid identity card and obtain a vaccination certificate for cerebrospinal meningitis and other required vaccinations.

Pilgrims can identify the companies and establishments licensed to serve domestic pilgrims by visiting the Haj ministry’s portal, or dialing the toll free number 8002444480, or looking up the directory issued by the ministry, which includes their offices at holy sites.

Women can only perform Haj with a "mahram" — a male companion that they are related to. However, exceptions are allowed under certain circumstances, but evidence for this must be provided to the authorities responsible for issuing Haj permits.

The ministry stipulates that a person can only perform Haj once every five years. However, a man may be allowed to circumvent this rule if he acts as a mahram for a relative.