Some Nigerian female pilgrims performing the Hajj in Madina are falling victim to a scam by fraudsters posing as dental agents offering to fix “golden teeth.”
A Kaduna Hajj official, who raised the alarm, said the unsuspecting pilgrims are being charged as much as $100 (approximately SR373) for a procedure that normally costs just SR150. In one case, a woman reportedly paid $200 for two gold teeth and is now left with less than $200 from her $500 Basic Travel Allowance (BTA).
“As soon as you settle into your accommodation in Madina, these so-called agents, mostly expatriates living in Saudi Arabia, start approaching hotels, asking who wants to fix golden teeth,” the official said.
“They specifically target Nigerian pilgrims. You won’t find them anywhere near pilgrims from Pakistan, Indonesia, or Malaysia.”
The official described the situation as “pathetic” and noted that many Hajj officials appear unaware of the scam.
He called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to urgently sensitise pilgrims, especially those yet to arrive in Saudi Arabia, to avoid falling prey to the scheme.
However, an FCT pilgrim said they have been educated on the issue, and some of their pilgrims avoid those middle agents and called on other states’ pilgrims to beware.
“No matter the level of enlightenment, some pilgrims don’t listen to advice, especially the first-time female pilgrims. He said.
