An elderly pilgrim from Yobe was defrauded after handing $500 to a fellow Nigerian who claimed he would convert it. “The man returned and gave him five $1 notes… defrauding him of $495.”
An Islamic scholar and University of Ilorin lecturer, Prof. Imam Abubakr Ali-Agan, has warned of rising cases of fraud involving Nigerian pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Prof. Ali-Agan, currently on pilgrimage, described how some Nigerians are exploiting fellow pilgrims by posing as currency exchange helpers.
“It’s unfortunate. The Nigerian government gives each pilgrim money to support their stay here,” he said. “But sadly, some Nigerians have turned this holy exercise into an opportunity to cheat fellow pilgrims.”
He recounted how an elderly pilgrim from Yobe State was defrauded after handing $500 to a fellow Nigerian who claimed he would convert it. “The man returned and gave him five $1 notes… essentially defrauding him of $495.”
Calling the act “criminality in the holy land,” he urged pilgrims to only trust designated officials. “Don’t hand over your money to strangers. Don’t fall into the trap of these scammers.”
Meanwhile, DSS operatives arrested an alleged kidnap kingpin, Sani Galadi, at Sokoto airport as he attempted to board a Hajj flight.
A Sokoto pilgrims’ official clarified that Galadi was not on the state’s official list.
READ MORE AT SAHARA REPORTERS.