Saudi authorities arrest 19 over 'fraudulent' offers to perform Hajj for others

Read the latest updates on the Hajj pilgrimage here

Nineteen people were arrested in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for allegedly offering fraudulent services involving Hajj being performed on behalf of others.

Brig Gen Sami Al Shuwairekh of the Saudi Public Security Department said that of those arrested, three were in breach of border security regulations and four Yemenis were detained for breaching the residence system. Among the others facing charges are three residents of Pakistani nationality, a resident with Myanmar citizenship, and two Saudi citizens. All are being held for allegedly posting illegal advertisements on social networks and a website about performing Hajj on behalf of others.

The adverts included the offer to secure and distribute sacrifices for pilgrims unable to make the Hajj pilgrimage this year, and an offer of transport services secured through fake institutions.

Legal measures were taken against the 19, and they were referred to the Public Prosecution, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Hajj fraud is prevalent throughout the world because booking a trip to perform the pilgrimage cannot be done without the aid of local offices designated by the Saudi authorities.

Traditionally, each country had more than one designated service provider through the countries’ respective Hajj authorities.

But an electronic registration platform introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah this year, called Motawif, requires people from Europe, America and Australia to register for this year’s Hajj electronically at www.motawif.com.sa.

The new portal is part of the ministry’s efforts to facilitate Hajj procedures and provide competitive prices for European, American and Australian pilgrims.

The platform offers a range of flight and accommodation packages — platinum, gold or silver.

A person can perform Hajj on behalf of someone who is suffering from a terminal illness or is too old to travel, or someone who has died without having had the chance to go on the pilgrimage.

A person who is performing Hajj on behalf of someone else must first have performed Hajj themself.

Results:

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Al Montaqem, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m | Winner: Daber W’Rsan, Connor Beasley, Jaci Wickham

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m | Winner: Bainoona, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

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7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 | Winner: AF Motaghatres, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,600m | Winner: Tafakhor, Ronan Whelan, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

MATCH INFO

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Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)

AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD

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Goals: 127
Assists: 31
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Losses: 33

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What are NFTs?

Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.

You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”

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The Baghdad Clock

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If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

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There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

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Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

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Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer