Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- State Security Service officers stopped several cases of fraud related to the preparation of documents by travel companies for the Hajj.

According to Saudi Arabian rules, the main condition for foreign citizens to perform Hajj is to have a Hajj visa. Other types of visas, such as Umrah, Tourist, Business and others, are prohibited for Hajj.

Foreigners who violate this rule will be deported from Saudi Arabia, banned from entering the country for 10 years, and fined 50,000 Saudi riyals (approximately US$13,300).

Despite these measures, scammers continue to deceive citizens, promising to send them to Hajj for a certain amount.

In this regard, employees of the State Security Service, together with the Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office and internal affairs bodies, carried out several operational activities.

In the Yakkasaray district of Tashkent, two employees of a travel company won the trust of a local resident and promised to prepare visa documents for his parents for a trip to Saudi Arabia for US$18,000. They were detained while receiving part of the amount of US$4.5 thousand.

In Yunusabad district of Tashkent, the head of a travel company was detained, who promised a resident of Yashnabad district to organize a trip to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season for US$9.5 thousand. He was caught receiving an advance of US$5.7 thousand.

In Shaykhantakhur district of Tashkent, a previously convicted citizen was detained who promised to send two residents of Sherabad district of Surkhandarya region to the Hajj for US$20 thousand. He was detained while receiving US$10 thousand.

In Ferghana, the manager of a travel company was arrested while receiving US$15 thousand after promising to send a resident of Tashlak district and his two minor children to the Hajj for US$30 thousand.

In Yazyavan district of Ferghana region, a resident was detained while receiving US$16 thousand for sending a resident of Kuva district and his parents to the Hajj through a travel company.

Criminal cases have been initiated against these individuals and investigations are ongoing.