Luxury Umrah Trips Under Scrutiny in Morocco
Moroccan authorities have launched an investigation into allegations of large-scale money smuggling disguised as luxury Umrah trips, according to a report by Hespress.com. The Exchange Office has reportedly placed several high-profile individuals—primarily business magnates, importers, and real estate developers—under scrutiny after uncovering alarming financial irregularities.
The investigation stems from reports prepared by the Studies and Statistics Department of the Exchange Office, which revealed that several affluent pilgrims exceeded the legal foreign exchange limit of $10,000 for travel. Some were found to have spent amounts surpassing $200,000. The authorities are now probing whether these transactions were part of a systematic effort to launder money or smuggle funds out of the country through illicit channels.
Sources cited by Hespress.com indicated that many of these individuals, particularly those based in Casablanca, had embarked on multiple Umrah trips over the past four years. Rather than purely religious journeys, these trips allegedly became extravagant networking events, where participants flaunted wealth and competed over luxurious accommodations, high-end transportation, and lavish shopping sprees.
Potential Collusion with Travel Agencies
Preliminary findings suggest that officials at some travel agencies may have facilitated these questionable financial dealings. The reports highlight links between these agencies and intermediaries—both in Morocco and in Saudia Arabia—who allegedly helped pilgrims acquire large sums of foreign currency in exchange for commissions.
The 2024 Ramadan Umrah season appears to have been particularly concerning, with authorities identifying individuals who exceeded travel allowance limits, sometimes by leveraging undeclared income. The General Directorate of Taxes has reportedly flagged several participants for tax irregularities, indicating potential breaches of financial regulations.
