The Directorate of General Criminal Investigation at Polda Metro Jaya has uncovered alleged misuse of umrah pilgrim funds by PT Hasanah Tama Internasional, also known as Hananiah Group. These funds were reportedly diverted for purposes unrelated to the pilgrims’ planned travel and religious pilgrimage.
Kombes Pol Iman Imannudin, the Director of General Criminal Investigation for Polda Metro Jaya, confirmed that the primary suspect, identified by the initials ASFR, who serves as the President Director of PT Hasanah Tama Internasional, has been named in the alleged umrah fund embezzlement case.
“The suspect is believed to have utilized pilgrim funds to address various financial issues and for other interests that did not benefit the victimized pilgrims,” Iman stated at Polda Metro Jaya on Tuesday (May 2).
Police Investigate Influencers Promoting Umrah Packages
During the same briefing, Iman also revealed that a portion of the misappropriated funds was channeled towards paying several influencers. These payments were specifically for promoting the umrah packages offered by Hananiah Group.
“Subsequently, some funds were also used to compensate influencers, as previously questioned. This was for marketing purposes,” he elaborated, highlighting a significant aspect of the financial irregularities.
In light of this, prominent influencers such as Keanu Agl, Sarah Gibson, Awkarin, and Dara Arafah are slated to be questioned by authorities. “Will these social media celebrities be investigated? We will certainly take statements from those mentioned, the influencers who participated in promoting or marketing the umrah packages offered by PT Hasanah Tama Internasional, or Hananiah Group,” Iman affirmed, signaling a broader scope for the ongoing investigation into the alleged fund embezzlement.
Police Trace Assets of Hananiah Director Amid Embezzlement Probe
Iman further detailed that the police would intensively trace all assets owned by ASFR. Alongside this asset recovery effort, Polda Metro Jaya is steadfastly focused on compensating the prospective pilgrims for their significant financial losses.
“We will exert maximum effort to trace the assets and the flow of funds from the suspect to other parties, or funds used for other interests, so that these can be utilized to recover the losses incurred by the victims. Hopefully, in the long run, these funds can even enable the victims to perform their umrah pilgrimage, as they had originally hoped,” Iman conveyed, emphasizing the police’s commitment to justice and restitution.
The police records indicate that 38 victims or pilgrims have been interviewed in connection with this case, with verified total losses amounting to IDR 4.2 billion. Furthermore, the overall reported losses received from other complainants and pilgrims have reached a staggering IDR 12.145 billion.
As part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged umrah fund embezzlement, authorities have seized various items of evidence. This includes Hananiah Group’s umrah travel documents, essential umrah equipment, 301 pilgrim visas, and 102 bundles of pilgrim passports. “As of now, we are continuously examining witnesses and gathering other supporting evidence pertinent to the alleged criminal act,” Iman concluded, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the police’s efforts to uncover the full extent of the fraud.
Summary
Polda Metro Jaya has uncovered alleged misuse of umrah pilgrim funds by PT Hasanah Tama Internasional, also known as Hananiah Group. The company’s President Director, ASFR, has been named as the primary suspect for diverting these funds for purposes unrelated to the pilgrims’ travel. A portion of the misappropriated funds was reportedly used to pay several influencers for promoting Hananiah Group’s umrah packages.
As part of the investigation, prominent influencers such as Keanu Agl, Sarah Gibson, Awkarin, and Dara Arafah are slated for questioning regarding their promotional activities. Police are actively tracing ASFR’s assets to recover the funds and compensate the victims, with reported total losses reaching IDR 12.145 billion. Authorities have also seized various items of evidence, including umrah documents, visas, and passports, as the comprehensive probe continues.