The men were arrested after search warrants were executed across Birmingham
Police have arrested two men over a £100,000 scam targeting worshippers planning to make pilgrimages to Mecca.
Victims were told they'd pay a fee in exchange for visa, travel and accommodation costs for the Hajj pilgrimage, which is an important part of the Muslim faith.
However none of the arrangements came to fruition.
It's believed around a dozen people, who were largely elderly people from the Birmingham area, fell victim to the fraud.
Between them, they lost around £100,000 collectively.
As a result, West Midlands Police executed search warrants at three addresses across the city today, September 29.
It lead to the arrests of two men, aged 22 and 23, who were detained on suspicion of fraud by false representation and money laundering.
Both suspects remain in custody for questioning.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "We’ve arrested two men in Birmingham today as part of a major investigation into a £100,000 fraud targeting people planning to make pilgrimage trips to Mecca.
"Victims were told that they would pay a fee in exchange for visa, travel and accommodation costs for the Hajj pilgrimage, which is an important part of the Muslim faith.
"But none of the arrangements were made, and it’s believed around a dozen victims, who are largely elderly people from the Birmingham area, have lost around £100,000 between them.
"Today we executed search warrants at three addresses across the city, and arrested the two suspects, aged 22 and 23, on suspicion of fraud by false representation and money laundering.
"Both remain in custody for questioning.
"The investigation is being led by our Economic Crime Unit, which tackles fraud and other complex financial investigations across the West Midlands. Officers are working in conjunction with Birmingham City Council ’s Trading Standards team."
