The Kwara State Government has launched an investigation into a foreign currency scam that defrauded several state pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj in Saudi Arabia, even as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq stepped in to refund the victims.
The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday by its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir. The board said the scam involved the Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) meant for each pilgrim, with fraudulent exchange reportedly occurring after arrival in Medina.
According to the board, every pilgrim was issued the standard $500 BTA in the form of five $100 bills, in a transparent and supervised process carried out in Nigeria before departure. The distribution was conducted publicly and under the watch of officials from the Directorate of State Security (DSS), who verified the authenticity of the currency. Pilgrims signed documentation to confirm they had received the funds after counting them.
The board’s preliminary investigation suggests that the fraudsters targeted mostly elderly pilgrims who were unfamiliar with foreign currencies. In many instances, these individuals were deceived by strangers pretending to assist them in converting their dollars into Saudi Riyals, only to discover they had been handed $1 bills in place of $100 notes.
In response to viral videos shared from Medina showing some affected pilgrims lamenting the scam, Governor AbdulRazaq swiftly intervened, providing $500 to each of the victims to compensate for their loss.
“We ask Allah to reward His Excellency’s swift and compassionate intervention,” the board stated, expressing deep appreciation on behalf of the pilgrims.
The statement also recalled the governor’s earlier visit to the Kwara pilgrims’ hotel in Mecca, during which he extended additional financial support to all pilgrims to help with local expenses, a gesture that was widely appreciated.
In light of this and similar incidents affecting pilgrims from other Nigerian states, the board voiced support for a Central Bank of Nigeria proposal to distribute BTA via preloaded debit cards instead of physical cash. The board noted that such a reform would improve transparency, reduce fraud risk, and especially benefit elderly pilgrims who are more vulnerable to scams.
The board assured that the ongoing investigation would continue until those responsible are identified and held accountable.
